how important are squats and dead-lifts to you?
Hi. I use both of these exercises with most of my clients. Like ANY exercise, if done incorrectly each of these could cause problems/injury. The keys to my mind are teaching proper technique, AND not overloading the exercise.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
I do both as well.
With deadlifts, I have my own philosophy as I try to teach them to all my clients even if the ‘weight’ is often little more than a broomstick. My thought is that there are situations when people need to be able to lift things over a barrier where the command of ‘lifting with your legs’ simply does not work. Getting something out of the trunk of a car or lifting a baby out of a crib are examples. I use it to teach maintaining a neutral spine and engaging the core while being forward flexed and unsupported.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
Squats are definitely part of my clients’ workouts as well as my own. They are very functional. I use deadlifts only occasionally, and only with those clients who have spot-on perfect form. Although it looks like a simple exercise, proper form can be difficult to cue–and I can think of other exercises that work just as well.