Debate Between the Squat and Deadlift
Posted by Victor
One of the guys I hang out with at the gym claims that I should be able to squat the same amount that I deadlift. When I asked him why he wasn't able to give me a reason but claims that he read it in a reliable weightlifting journal.
Does anyone know if this is true and if so, what's the reasoning behind it? I wonder if it is because of the lower back yet I thought squats are for building legs.
Thanks.
Re: Debate Between the Squat and Deadlift
Posted by hulk
I have always noticed an inbalance between squats and deadlift and I would reason that not many could do the same. I have currently have a 52.5 kg difference between my squat and deadlift, the deadlift being the heavier. That said I know one lifter for whom this is reversed.
For all lifts the drive from the floor is done with the legs though some(like myslef) will favour the lower back soon after leaving the ground. However it does not follow that because the legs are used to drive the weight from the ground in the deadlift that the same strength would transfer to the squat. The mechanics of the lift are different with the legs, breaking 90 degrees in the squat are starting from a far stronger, higher position in the deadlift.
There is in this equation the mental factor. Picking a weight off the floor is easier to persuade your body to do than dropping down under a weight and while some may not consider this a factor 'getting the head right' is a very important part of the lift.
I think perhaps the right way of looking at this is it is a goal to aspire to to have your squat and deadlift so closely aligned.
Be strong & train safe.
