are squats overrated?
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The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.0
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hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
So better to skip legs day then?0 -
amyrebeccah wrote: »hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
Not trying to tell anyone how to run things, but couldn't they just do those upper-body exercises first?
Or on another day like so many programs.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »cwolfman13 wrote: »
This is probably why power lifters are always boasting about how much they can leg press....
The squat is a full body compound movement...the leg press just works the legs...they both have their place, but I can guarantee you that someone doing 300 Lbs on a leg press won't come close to that on a squat...but someone who can squat 300 Lbs will be able to press much more than that on a leg press.
No powerlifters usually squat which is why they are generally weaker overall than the guys on the leg press doing 8 plates.
The guy doing the press isn't going to be able to squat what the guy squatting, squats...the guy squatting will generally easily be able to press more than the guy pressing...the guy squatting is going to be overall stronger and more powerful.
How can he press more than the guy pressing if he only squats? If he's moving less weight, is he truly stronger?
Trolls gonna troll...
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hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
One should prioritize exercises in a workout. Squats and deadlifts will provide so much more bang the buck in overall strength and muscle growth than isolation exercises for the biceps, triceps and delts.1 -
lazsommer, just keep leg pressing you'll get stronger than everyone in the world, good luck to you.
I already am stronger than most people because I do crossfit. They don't have a leg press at my box (a special crossfit gym if you didn't know that), so I have a dual membership at Planet Fitness to use their leg press machine.
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hamlet1222 wrote: »Don't have any specific criticisms of squats, just didn't find them as 'life-changing' as others seem to, and found fast short-distance running and cycling just as good for building up legs
Squats do not just build up your legs.
If you are using sufficient weight, squats are a compound lift that put stress on and build up the strength in your upper & lower back, spinal erectors, abdominals, hips, quads, hamstrings, calves and glutes.
So, they are not an isolation movement for the legs only and, if that's all you're interested in, you can certainly dispense w/them but, if you're interested in developong overall body strength, I don't think you can do w/o them.
Yep!!0 -
hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
Maybe, but the majority of guys and gals that I know (and some that have responded in this thread) are interested in overall strength and that includes squats and deadz. Both have gotten me (and others I've talked to) stronger overall, lower body AND upper body.
Past most beginner programs you'll not see upper and lower on the same day.2 -
Cherimoose wrote: »
Weird, I have. Quite often actually.
Yep, same here. And what, pray tell, is your definition of an enormous amount of weight. Because that's subjective.0 -
hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
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sunnybeaches105 wrote: »hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
So better to skip legs day then?
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Personally, my knees are too chewed up. I just have to accept slower progress with less strenuous things. For those with good knees, squats seem pretty useful.
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I tore my ACL two years ago, and had it replaced. My physical therapist told me, "you'd better make friends with the squat." Squats, done properly, are great for stabilizing the knees. I can't speak for anyone else's situation, but for me, it's been true. I'm able to dance weekly, hike etc. post ACL repair. I just consider squats my maintenance for functionality.0
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sunnybeaches105 wrote: »hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
So better to skip legs day then?
One word: Periodization0 -
I've always had bad/weak knees. Too many injuries when I was young coupled with arthritis. When I started exercising, I tried doing squats. Took several months but my knees are feeling excellent now. I do have to have a wider stance and have to point my toes out about 30 degrees in order to not injure them, but my knees are getting stronger and I haven't had any bad days (knee pops out of place or feels like I have glass shards in it) in months.0
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Squats have helped me a lot! Getting up off the floor was a challenge for me. One day I was on the floor playing with my cat, went to get up and realized it wasn't a chore and actually startled myself at how fast I got up. Feeling the power in your legs is incredible.1
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BreezeDoveal wrote: »lazsommer, just keep leg pressing you'll get stronger than everyone in the world, good luck to you.
I already am stronger than most people because I do crossfit. They don't have a leg press at my box (a special crossfit gym if you didn't know that), so I have a dual membership at Planet Fitness to use their leg press machine.
Have you considered veganism to get that next level nutrition based advantage?
Actually I'm paleo-IS (intermittent starving). See, our ancestors didn't eat all this processed food and agricultural crap, but they also didn't have their food readily available. People are denying their genetic needs by eating regularly - hunter gatherers made gains while starving between meals. It's how the body was designed to live.
I find that it's best to wait at least 4 days between meals, and then rush into my local grocery store and rip open a pack of steaks right at the butcher. Our ancestors had to hunt and eat with adrenaline rushing, and I find this gives a boost to my metabolism.1 -
hamlet1222 wrote: »sunnybeaches105 wrote: »hamlet1222 wrote: »The main downside I see to squats (and deadlifts) is that they soak up a lot of energy (during work out and recovery), meaning less for muscle groups that aren't involved in these exercises (chest, triceps, biceps, deltoids) - the ones most guys are interested in focusing on.
So better to skip legs day then?
One word: Periodization
Isn't his the one with the wounded vet who was recovering? I get the sentiment of the meme, but this particular one needs to die0
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