Are powerlifting exercises necessary to build a nice physique?

[LovingtoLift]

I see all these people preaching squats, and deadlifts. I do them.

But I was thinking about this today..........

Are they really mandatory for a man or woman to build a solid sexy physique? If a person has no desire to be as strong as possible, and just wants to look great, do they really need to do squats and deadlifts till they puke?

Im sure a person who goes to the gym 5-6 days per week, gets their cardio in, watches what they eat, and throws in weights 3-4 of those days, can build a physique that most people would admire and women or men would love.

Thoughts?

 

[kisaj]

No they aren't necessary for that purpose. There are many other ways to build muscle and look good.

 

[Jebrook]

Maybe not necessary, but for the purposes of building muscle mass they are the most effective. If you have the amount of mass you want then it is okay to dial back on the compound lifts and focus more on isolation and accessory lifts. Compounds lifts still need to be utilized on occasion to keep mass though. I don't deadlift or squat with near the frequency that I used to unless on a bulking cycle.

 

[jake1986]

Very important for building a foundation. I do think they're important for hormonal release as well as functional strength.

 

[kisaj]

Both of you are obviously correct and that is my belief, however, OP isn't interested in those points. Just if they are required to look good.

 

[jake1986]

I see all these people preaching squats, and deadlifts. I do them.



But I was thinking about this today..........



Are they really mandatory for a man or woman to build a solid sexy physique? If a person has no desire to be as strong as possible, and just wants to look great, do they really need to do squats and deadlifts till they puke?



Im sure a person who goes to the gym 5-6 days per week, gets their cardio in, watches what they eat, and throws in weights 3-4 of those days, can build a physique that most people would admire and women or men would love.



Thoughts?

No I guess not

 

[bolt10]

No not necessary. But idk why anyone would want to avoid them.

 

[BeastFitness]

No necessary but man…it sure piles on muscle mass quicker IMHO

 

[BRUstrong]

Do cleans. Power cleans, squat cleans, hang cleans. Cleans!!!

 

[Gutterpump]

It's all about the most bang for your buck!! And these moves provide that... But also, you have to weigh in the best risk/reward ratio for yourself personally.

 

[Sean1332]

Compound movements will always dominate but maybe not necessary

 

[Rodja]

I wouldn't say powerlifting exercises per se, but definitely compound movements.

 

[Tugboat22]

Maybe it was just the age I was at when I was informed of the importance of squats and deads, but that is when my body started to really take shape and grow. I guess that's a hard question to answer.

 

[Matthew1237]

Deadlifts maybe not. But I would be hard pressed to see nice legs that didn't squat or a great chest that didn't bench. I believe BB rows and Chins could sub for deadlifts. But would lose on overall mass and trap gains by not dong them.

 

[kisaj]

Row and chinups definitely are not an alternative to deads, but deads aren't necessary in any aesthetic program. They are optimal for athletic programs that requires explosiveness and over all power.

In any case, like mentioned, the OP only cares about looks and for his purposes, squats and deads are not required.

 

[compudog]

Yes. The primary function of muscle is strength. Attractiveness is a secondary function, but evolution hasn't seen fit to make that drive the developement of muscle. IOW, no-one is born with a lot of muscle, not the way some people are born good looking. Everyone has to work for it. So the primary purpose of muscle is strength. So if you want more muscle you have to get stronger. That said, the classic barbell lifts aren't the only way to get stronger. They are however, the most efficient. So I would say that, in order to build the balanced physique that people want, yes you pretty much have to do the barbell lifts.

 

[ForceOfNature]

I see all these people preaching squats, and deadlifts. I do them.

But I was thinking about this today..........

Are they really mandatory for a man or woman to build a solid sexy physique? If a person has no desire to be as strong as possible, and just wants to look great, do they really need to do squats and deadlifts till they puke?

Im sure a person who goes to the gym 5-6 days per week, gets their cardio in, watches what they eat, and throws in weights 3-4 of those days, can build a physique that most people would admire and women or men would love.

Thoughts?

Necessary? No. Some of the most beneficial movements? Yes. These "powerlifting" movements in my opinion should be incorporated into anyone's workout program. There not necessary to build a nice physique but they will damn sure speed up the process and you will also have strength to go with that nice physique. In the Golden era of bodybuilding, most of these if not all powerlifting movements were staples in a lot of people's workout routine

 

[Matthew1237]

Row and chinups definitely are not an alternative to deads, but deads aren't necessary in any aesthetic program. They are optimal for athletic programs that requires explosiveness and over all power.

In any case, like mentioned, the OP only cares about looks and for his purposes, squats and deads are not required.

I meant in that they are just as successful at building up a big back - not a straight exercise sub =P

 

[kisaj]

I meant in that they are just as successful at building up a big back - not a straight exercise sub =P

Oh, for size, they are better. Bb rows, single arm rows, snatch grip high pulls, face pulls all work to build a bigger back over DLs.

 

[Matthew1237]

Oh, for size, they are better. Bb rows, single arm rows, snatch grip high pulls, face pulls all work to build a bigger back over DLs.

Hallelujah

 

[dana2000]

Bad shoulder (rotater cuff)makes me stay away from the squats. I can't even grab the bar on my back. I do front squats once in awhile and they are killers on my shoulder as well.