Squat vs Deadlift: Which One Is Better?

In the battle of squat vs deadlift, which one is better if you’re looking for muscle building and lean mass? Continue reading to learn all about it.

The Deadlift is considered, by many, the king of all exercises for your lower body. It works your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and your back as well. A huge compound exercise and we listed 12 benefits everyone should know about this movement.

However, if you could compare the deadlift with any other exercise it would be the squat. Incredibly versatile as you can do front squats, back squats, and can overload easily utilising the barbell.

So, when it comes to squats vs deadlift, which is better for strength and mass?

Squat vs Deadlift: Which One Wins?

First of all, the biggest difference between each of them is that the deadlift is a pulling exercise while the squat is a pushing exercise.

That, by itself, already shows that it might be difficult, or maybe unfair, to compare squat vs deadlift. However, if you are trying to look beyond a biased perspective and truly want to compare them, this is what we can conclude.

Read More: The Smartest Push Pull Legs Routine

Would you think that one is better than the other? The answer is: it depends on your goals.

Better for Strength

“The squat takes the body through a greater range of motion at the knee, so it will be a better option for building strong legs. The deadlift requires the back to actively contract and stabilize throughout its full range of motion, so it’s often a better bet when trying to strengthen the back.”

Better for Mass

A few general rules apply. If you want to build leg size, go for squats. If you want to increase your back then choose the deadlift.

Know that both exercises will help strengthen and improve hip extension.

If you have more questions about it, check out the video below from Barbend.

VIDEO – Squat vs Deadlift

Check out more content from Boxrox:

Muscle Building Deadlift Workouts for Athletes

Squat Variations To Build Mass, Strength and Muscle

How Strong Should You Be as Noob, Intermediate, and Elite Athlete Level?