@ben_yanes: Many people that deadlift claim that deadlifts grow their lats and upper back, all the while they’re doing 15-20 other sets in a week of rows and pulldowns. This is not a debate about whether or not deadlifts CAN grow your upper back and lats (they certainly can if you’re a novice or on gear), this is a debate about whether or not you should call them an exercise that trains the pulling tissues (you shouldn’t). It’s crazy to me that this is still a topic for debate. All you need to answer this question is a very basic understanding of torque. You do not need a 12 week study to tell you that rows and pulldowns are more specific to lat and upper back training than deadlifts are. This would be like saying that really heavy planks would be a good chest builder. Are the lats and upper back loaded? Yes. Does that make deadlifts a good upper back and lat exercise? No. None of those tissues move through any range of contraction, and your rate-limiter will be your hips and lower spine. - Are you a personal trainer? Consider joining my online PT community, where you can collaborate with 50+ other coaches to improve your ability to coach exercise. You’ll also get access to my online courses, exclusive content and Q&As and more. Link in bio.
