Are Deadlifts Good for Hypertrophy?

Are deadlifts good for hypertrophy? If you’ve ever wondered that, check out a no-BS answer for it.

That question was posed to the hosts of the Mind Pump Podcast, an online radio show that talks all fitness related and, usually, is provocative. Its hosts are Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, Justin Andrews, and Doug Egge. They also have a YouTube channel with more than 240k subscribers.

Are Deadlifts Good For Hypertrophy?

”A deadlift is an exceptional exercise and it does build a lot of muscle,” Di Stefano states.

Di Stefano knows some studies argue that a “barbell row is better for this, or a pull-up is better for that,” but overall the deadlift is an incredible exercise because you can look at the benefits of the deadlift and what is its carryover to other exercises.

“There are few exercises that allow you to handle the load that a deadlift allows you to handle,” Di Stefano argues. “In fact, for most people it’s the heaviest exercise they’ll ever do. And the amount of tension that that creates in the posterior chain, which includes the entire back, is unmatched. You are not going to get it with a barbell row, you are not going to get it with a pull-up.”

If you are focused on a single muscle group for hypertrophy, for example the delts, then perhaps the deadlift is not ideal. But for an overall back, hamstring and glute exercise, three of the biggest muscles on your body, “nothing is going to build more muscle,” Adam Schafer says. “You would have to pick like 6 or 7 exercises together, and then that would be a lot of volume, a lot of work, you’re not going to create as much tension in the body,” Di Stefano continues.

So, are deadlifts good for hypertrophy? The answer is a clear yes and perhaps the best exercise to hit all your posterior chain.

VIDEO- Are Deadlifts Good For Hypertrophy?

Read More: 3 Best Exercises to Improve Your Deadlift