OTTOEMEZZO Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 (edited) What would you consider to be absolute essential exercises? The ones you cannot go without... Obviously this varies from person to person, but surely nobody serious about strength can leave squats out of their workout. Probably deadlifts fall into that absolutely essential category as well, unless there is an injury, of course. Now, I suppose every exercise has its place somewhere in the world of powerlifting, strongman, bodybuilding, grip training, etc. but that does not mean that a 600 lb deadlift can be compared to a 50 lb curl. I think all of us would agree that the former is a much better strength indicator. So, what would you say are the top exercises? Let's say you could only do these moves for the rest of your life. Which ones can you live without and which ones you cannot? Edited October 1, 2010 by OTTOEMEZZO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Piche Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Deadlifts can be left out. Most people do them wrong and wreck their bodies (me included!). Same thing with squats. There is no magic exercise. The squat IS really more of a back lift the way most people incorrectly perform the exercise. One just needs a set of exercises that are safe, they can perform with proper form, that cover the full musculature. And, this includes balance as well...front and back of the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six Barrel Shotgun Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 (edited) What would you consider to be absolute essential exercises? The ones you cannot go without... Obviously this varies from person to person, but surely nobody serious about strength can leave squats out of their workout. Probably deadlifts fall into that absolutely essential category as well, unless there is an injury, of course. Now, I suppose every exercise has its place somewhere in the world of powerlifting, strongman, bodybuilding, grip training, etc. but that does not mean that a 600 lb deadlift can be compared to a 50 lb curl. I think all of us would agree that the former is a much better strength indicator. So, what would you say are the top exercises? Let's say you could only do these moves for the rest of your life. Which ones can you live without and which ones you cannot? Just a comment I want to say about the deadlift part: I like "stone dummie"-exercise more then deadlift, for functional strenght. I am talking about an exercise i picked up from a Swedish Guy. Its somewhat similar to atlas stones training. You put weight plates on a loading pin and just lift whole thing it like you would lift a heavy stone. EDIT: Forgot to mention that the guy I learned about the exercise from, had got the idea from David Horne. Edited October 1, 2010 by Six Barrel Shotgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IROC-Z Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 Dips Squats Pullups Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andurniat Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 If I had to only do one exercise it would be the Clean + Jerk. Most bang for my buck. Covers a lot of areas. Yes this assumes proper technique for the lifter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mac Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 There isn't an essential exercise, at least not in the way I think of "essential" - anything can be worked around / subsituted for depending on the circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djukac Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 For me, the squat, the deadlift, the overhead press are the essentials at building that lower and upper body strength. From than on, according to what is your goal, you adjust the other exercises. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninja64x Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 i have to disagree with everyone here. deadlift is the ONLY one.!!!!! i mean if you can;t pick it off the floor then where are you?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unseenbeat Posted October 1, 2010 Share Posted October 1, 2010 For me, squats, pullups (I use my pulling muscles more than my pushing ones so I'd put these even higher than the following exercise), dips, and prob overhead presses. I could get by, and have, with just those. I also believe in carrying weight in some form, as I have also always done taht for work and gpp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTTOEMEZZO Posted October 1, 2010 Author Share Posted October 1, 2010 I should mention my own picks. For me, these are the essentials that I enjoy most and believe they bring the most functional strength. 1. Deadlift 2. Pull Ups 3. Grippers 4. Thick Bar 5. Clean and Press 6. Squats 7. Bench Press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rico300zx Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 I would have to say squats and I also like the clean and press a lot. As far as grip use a fat bar for the clean and press, it will get you really far if your doing it double overhand. My results are proof in the pudding. I ve been working out for 25 years now but never hard core and I feel the bring me up to speed for any grip stuff too. I also really like the 2HP a lot and deadlifts with a fat bar. Parris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gripmaniac Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 (edited) 1. Deadlift 2. Squat 3. Cleans 4. Pullup/Chinups (various grips, Front & Back) Edited October 2, 2010 by gripmaniac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daniel reinard Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 You ask for essential but mention just strength. I'd say essential translates to applicable. What do you really do with your body every day? Also, how long can you sustain that strength? I'd say an excersise that is applicable to your lifestyle and one that you can do repeatidly is an essential excercise. One time feats or isolated muscle groups aren't generally essential. As it pertains to me: Climbing. Period. I can climb the ceiling of my garage for 30 minutes 4 times a week and get a tight core, strong back and shoulders, crazy fingertip grip, and flexibility and endurance as well. Let's not forgot the mental part of the excersise. Besides normal pushing through pain, technique and focus, I believe climbing to add stricter mental focus on breathing, technique, and ones ability to cope with natural fears under stress. It's functional strength. I can't remembered the last time I had to lift a car over my head or squat one on my back. Ok, slight exaggeration but the point stands. I used to deadlift and squat but I haven't in 10 years because I found I can do without them. I'll add weighted stair climbs to finish off the body. If you can't walk or run your butt any realistic, functional distance then I'd consider the strength attempt a fail. There are a lot of strong guys who can't do this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OTTOEMEZZO Posted October 2, 2010 Author Share Posted October 2, 2010 Daniel, Certainly, in today's world there are not many strength/endurance feats we need to do to survive every day life. Even climbing, I don't remember the last time I had to climb 40 feet to survive. However, you are certainly right about running and climbing. These feats are definitly important in life, just so that you are ready in case there is an emergency, as well as overall health. To me, same with deadlifts and squats. I fell on my back when I was 7 and mislocated a bone. Doctors told me I won't be able to jump or lift things. Well, I haven't done anything heavy until recently and I feel like adding muscles to my lower back through deadlifts helps me protect that area. Not to mention when I help a friend move out of the apartment, I know to keep my spine straight. After deadlifting some heavy weights in the gym, a bed no longer feels heavy either. Anyway, I am sure that I will add some things to the list in the future, maybe even remove some. I've always been interested in climbing and went a few times. I was a strong runner in high school. And when I was younger, I used to jump pretty far. Who knows, maybe these will be the most important to me in the future. All are functional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted October 2, 2010 Share Posted October 2, 2010 Bent over rows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six Barrel Shotgun Posted October 3, 2010 Share Posted October 3, 2010 2. Atlas Stone lifts- ok not very practical if you don't have a stone, but they are fairly easy to make. Involves the basic task of picking something up, but involves the upper body, upper back, shoulders more than the traditional deadlift as you have to hold the stone. You can just use a loading pin and weight plates, stone dummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benedikt Farsmann Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 (1. proper sleep) (2. food) 3. depending on goals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexR Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 For me, the squat, the deadlift, the overhead press are the essentials at building that lower and upper body strength. From than on, according to what is your goal, you adjust the other exercises. I have to agree,squats,deads,press,has worked for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 1. Fork lifts after a hard heavy training day. 2. Occasional beer glass/mug lifts to celebrate after competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexR Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 1. Fork lifts after a hard heavy training day. 2. Occasional beer glass/mug lifts to celebrate after competition. Those 2 I never thought of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnus Posted October 4, 2010 Share Posted October 4, 2010 1. Fork lifts after a hard heavy training day. The ones done at the Chinese buffet are especially effective, I've found. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AP Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 1. Fork lifts after a hard heavy training day. The ones done at the Chinese buffet are especially effective, I've found. Ah, chopstick lift you mean... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexR Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 1. Fork lifts after a hard heavy training day. The ones done at the Chinese buffet are especially effective, I've found. Ah, chopstick lift you mean... I struggle with chopsticks most of the time,no chance after a grip workout,most of the food would go over my shoulder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever Posted October 5, 2010 Share Posted October 5, 2010 Deadlifts can be left out. Most people do them wrong and wreck their bodies (me included!). Same thing with squats. There is no magic exercise. The squat IS really more of a back lift the way most people incorrectly perform the exercise. One just needs a set of exercises that are safe, they can perform with proper form, that cover the full musculature. And, this includes balance as well...front and back of the body. [/quote All the posts are good...but very sound advice here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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