Deadlifts...the perfect excercise?

[tacklejunkie]

I'm doing less squats as they hurt my knees although lighter weights have helped. I also have been adding more deadlifts to my routine. I feel it!! It seems to hit more muscle than anything else. Who also has deadlifts as part of their routine?

Could deadlifts replace squats?

[fishersofmen]

Its a great exercise. I did them regularly but because of a piriformis injury and sciatic problems I haven't done those or squats for over a year. I couldn't believe how sore my traps would get from deadlifts. Even more so than trying to hit them intentionally with shrugs.

I'm surprised I don't see more guys doing them at the gym.

[mrklean]

I love deadlifts they are a staple to build a big strong back and they hit a ton of different muscles.

[Sonicrunch]

replace? no.

doing both is pretty awesome though.

stick with the lighter weight squats, and only increase the weight when you know your knees are ready for it.

Always make sure you are getting good recovery.

[DrJuice1980]

No for the replacement as well. Try different squat styles like a zercher squat (but push your glutes back) if you are going for less weight. Odds are its not the weight youre lifting in the conventional squat its the form. Many things could be happening, your knees are too far forward (most likely why you have knee pain if its in the patella or patella tendon), feet turned way out (if you have medial knee pain), pushing up from the balls of your feet, rounding your back, knees not staying over your feet, etc...

Its never really the movement that the issue, its how its performed.