This is why I say deadlifts are basically useless

[Al Doggity]

http://60abc.com/grandma-aged-78-couldnt-get-out-of-chair-now-she-deadlifts-225lb-weights-in-the-gym/

Okay, so not entirely useless and ,admittedly, this is something an almost 80-year-old woman should be proud of.  But as I've said in the past,  good deadlift numbers are not really a gauge of strength. Her numbers on every other exercise are probably exactly what you'd expect from a senior citizen.

[Nirvana]

All drugs. Dead by 90. If she keeps that reckless lifting up she'll end up like Ronnie Coleman in her old age.

[MORTALCOIL]

[SuperTed]

If the deadlift isn't a good gauge of strength, than what single exercise is?

The deadlift is a somewhat simple lift and one that uses almost all the major muscle groups - that's why it's considered by many to be the best test of strength. .

[SquatsRule]

If the deadlift isn't a good gauge of strength, than what single exercise is?

The deadlift is a somewhat simple lift and one that uses almost all the major muscle groups - that's why it's considered by many to be the best test of strength. .

Hammer Strength presses.

[Al Doggity]

If the deadlift isn't a good gauge of strength, than what single exercise is?

The deadlift is a somewhat simple lift and one that uses almost all the major muscle groups - that's why it's considered by many to be the best test of strength. .

A post by me from another thread:

Like I said in my previous post, I've heard that dl supposedly has so many benefits which is why I stuck it out til at least 5 plates. I just don't see much evidence of that. 90% of the time when I see a guy who benches regularly and has a big bench, he has a good chest. 90% of the time, a guy who chins regularly and can do 15+ reps has a good taper. Having a big deadlift does not indicate  anything. It doesn't suggest you are strong in other exercises- even back or leg exercises. You can be a dedicated deadlifter and still have a totally shitty body.  It might be an exaggeration to say there are no benefits, but for me, when I made deadlifting a regular part of my routine, it seemed like I would go backwards if I focused on deadlifts. I got so much wider and thicker and stronger and a more dramatic taper with barbell rows. If I skipped rows for two sessions my dl and row would both go down. If I skipped dls but did rows, my dl would at least be stable and rows would still increase.

[Svengoolie]

I do see a lot of tiny tits do respectable dl's, yet can't even do a 60lb dumbbell press.

[SuperTed]

A post by me from another thread:

Well, I think some lifts suit certain individuals better than others. For instance, squats are a great exercise but there are some (such as myself) who always have difficulty nailing the technique and therefore, didn't benefit from the lift as much as others did.
What you said about deadlifts in regards to physique could be said about any lift imo.
However, if a guy can deadlift big numbers, he usually has strong overall muscle density and impressive athletic ability. Pretty much every top strength athlete will be judged on their deadlift, more so than on any other lift. There are many WSM competitors with average (in context) bench numbers, but there isn't one with a poor pull.

[Al Doggity]

Well, I think some lifts suit certain individuals better than others. For instance, squats are a great exercise but there are some (such as myself) who always have difficulty nailing the technique and therefore, didn't benefit from the lift as much as others did.
What you said about deadlifts in regards to physique could be said about any lift imo.
However, if a guy can deadlift big numbers, he usually has strong overall muscle density and impressive athletic ability. Pretty much every top strength athlete will be judged on their deadlift, more so than on any other lift. There are many WSM competitors with average (in context) bench numbers, but there isn't one with a poor pull.

I have never seen a guy at any gym I've worked out at who does regular bench with respectable weight and doesn't have good  arms or chest. The same goes with most bodybuilding staples: anyone who does them regularly with decent weight has a physique that reflects that. You can do heavy dls twice a week for a year and no one would ever guess you worked out.

[drkaje]

I feel better with reagular deadlifts but don't know to what extent doing them translates to overall fitness.

[SuperTed]

I have never seen a guy at any gym I've worked out at who does regular bench with respectable weight and doesn't have good  arms or chest. The same goes with most bodybuilding staples: anyone who does them regularly with decent weight has a physique that reflects that. You can do heavy dls twice a week for a year and no one would ever guess you worked out.

Because the deadlift doesn't really target a specific muscle group (or more importantly, none of the beach muscles), it may not have the same noticeable BB effect that a more isolation movement (like a curl or press) has.
However, in terms of strength, it is probably the best all round indicator due to the sheer amount of muscles which have to work. Like I said, you wouldn't be able to find me a single top strongman with a below average deadlift.   

[Al Doggity]

Because the deadlift doesn't really target a specific muscle group (or more importantly, none of the beach muscles), it may not have the same noticeable BB effect that a more isolation movement (like a curl or press) has.
However, in terms of strength, it is probably the best all round indicator due to the sheer amount of muscles which have to work. Like I said, you wouldn't be able to find me a single top strongman with a below average deadlift.   

This is a quote from me from another thread:

I feel like my deadlift gains don't translate to other exercises.  When my barbell row increases, so do chinups and biceps exercises. When my shoulder press increases, so does chest. I noticed I was at a sticking point with deadlifts and I got past that sticking point by increasing my squat. I don't feel like deadlifts helped my squats. 

[MoralMan]

Test of strength is standing shoulder press. Anyone that can do BW with that is strong.

[SuperTed]

This is a quote from me from another thread:

I feel like my deadlift gains don't translate to other exercises.  When my barbell row increases, so do chinups and biceps exercises. When my shoulder press increases, so does chest. I noticed I was at a sticking point with deadlifts and I got past that sticking point by increasing my squat. I don't feel like deadlifts helped my squats. 

I think the issue with the deadlift is that as a movement, it isn't really comparable to any other type of exercise that we perform. It's quite a unique exercise in our training program.
On the other hand, a barbell row for instance actually has some similarities to other movements like a pull-up or curl, hence the transfer strength.

[Henda]

most people get fuck all out of deadlifts as they more or less drop the bar, most of the benefit is in the negative, control it (not as dangerous as they say if are sensible with the weight) and see the benefits, done in this manner for me they are unbeatable for traps, lower back and forearm development.
Also keep back healthy and injury free

[TSNWGS]

Many exercises are overrated and pointless! Examlple, You should never do more than once set of bench on chest days!

[DanM]

Deadlifts if done for reps while defiantly build muscle in the traps, back and hamstrings.  Especially variations like snatch grip deads and stiff legs.

[Henda]

Many exercises are overrated and pointless! Examlple, You should never do more than once set of bench on chest days!

Please elaborate on this profoundly stupid statement?

[rocket]

They aren't "the" gauge of strength to people who say shit like that for any other reason that they're pretty much the least desired movement in the gym.  They are the thing that you'll hear the most excuses about (and possibly the most injuries due to, also).  Therefore, they're typically the most romanticised movement in the eyes of those who see fit to designate "the" exercise.

I would agree that they don't translate to much but neither does a big squat really translate much to a big bench or vice versa.

People who deadlift well might not "look" like they work out, but they all have a thick back for their weight.  All of them have a base physique which reminds me of a rock climber. 

[_aj_]

Deadlifts if done for reps while defiantly build muscle in the traps, back and hamstrings.  Especially variations like snatch grip deads and stiff legs.

The revenge of Broscience.

[oldtimer1]

Deadlifts are useless says the guy who can't deadlift.

[da_vinci]

Started doing DLs seriously after suggestions here, for my lower back development, it was a single core exercise that I've always skipped. I must say I'm surprised at how well  can feel my lower back being worked after few sets of dls. Def gonna keep it in my regimen from now on.

[YngiweRhoads]

If the deadlift isn't a good gauge of strength, than what single exercise is?

The deadlift is a somewhat simple lift and one that uses almost all the major muscle groups - that's why it's considered by many to be the best test of strength. .

Barbell curls in a power rack.

[Bevo]

Hammer Strength presses.

With 4 plates a side

[chaos]

Then don't do them.