Squats vs Goodmornings

Kevinm · Post by **Kevinm** » Oct 12, 2005 22:41

I want to switch from goodmornings to squats. Is there any disadvantage to doing squats instead of goodmornings? Isn't the effect on the lower hamstrings the same?

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Oct 13, 2005 05:29

Both exercises affect the body differently.
The target muscles for the conventional squat are the quads.
The target muscles for the good morning are the hamstrings and lower back.

Obviously,more muscle gets worked in both exercises than the one's i listed,they are only the primary.

Most people would do both exercises.

Dragon.

wynnema · Post by **wynnema** » Oct 13, 2005 08:54

yes but I would drop good mornings and do deadlifts instead - they are safer. Bruce Lee was almost finished off physically through lifiting too much on the good morning exercise.

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Oct 13, 2005 09:03

I agree.
Never been a fan of good mornings myself.There is a difference though between deadlifts and the stiff leg deadlift.
I've always used stiff leg deadlifts.It's a lot easier to dump the weight if you need to.

Dragon.

wynnema · Post by **wynnema** » Oct 13, 2005 09:05

i agree although if you try to keep your legs stiff and you dont have the necessary flexibility you can end up arching your back to compensate resulting in bad form. Better to do normal deadlifts correctly than stiffed leg incorrectly.

dragon · Post by **dragon** » Oct 13, 2005 09:17

I think that depends on the person doing the lift.I've got enough flexibility to keep my legs straight but still choose to have a slight bend at the knee.I also only go to parallel(or just above).Some people do them whilst standing on a bench to get more ROM but i've never felt it was needed to get a good workout.

Dragon.

wynnema · Post by **wynnema** » Oct 13, 2005 09:20

yes I bend slightly at the knee and do the exercise side on to a mirror watching my back. The moment it starts to curve I stop. That way I know my back is straight at all times.

Kevinm · Post by **Kevinm** » Oct 13, 2005 20:08

Ok, thanks, I'll do both, but I'll only progress in the squat and freeze the goodmornings. I'm already doing 2/3 of my body weight in them. I'm very leery of injuring my back so I'll keep an eye on it as I progress. Thanks again.