I have a problem

[SHScornerback22]

My training partner has a bad back and refuses to dead-lift or squat and believes compound exercises gets you cutter and isolation lifts/machines get you bigger. How can I make him BELIEVE me when I tell him that he is wrong?

[XenoWang]

That's one of the more.... unique views I've come across. What's his justification for such claims?

[SHScornerback22]

"So and So's brother is HUGE and all he did was isolation lifts and he NEVER did rows, etc. or My friend's uncle is GINORMOUS and he ALAWAYS used dumbbells and machines!" That's all I hear man.

[miker44]

tell your friend its impossible that isolation lifts could build more mass for the simple fact that compound exercises call more then one muscle group into play..if more the one muscle group is being stimulated more growth will occur...heavy compound lifts also cause the body to release more growth hormone....its not the weight lifting per se that cuts you cut, its diet and cardio.....and it doesnt matter what so and so did to get big you dont know all the variables to their diet, training, supplement use, etc..they could also have had great genetics and gotten big from training unintelligently anyway....find out what works for you, if you want to squat and deadlift tell your partner to take a hike if he doesnt have the sack to do the big boy lifts with you

[Hells Fire]

That's almost opposite of the truth. Compound exercises are great for adding mass. Isolation exercises are great for refining the shape of a muscle, by adding mass. For example, standing barbell curls will help get huge biceps. And preacher curls will help shape the peak of the biceps.

compound = stimulation all over
isolation = localized stimulation

As such, isolation work is very good for improving lagging or unsymmetrical parts, or reducing muscular imbalance (like if your quads are huge and your hamstrings are tiny).

Typically more compound exercises are done while bulking, and more isolation work while cutting. So, in a way, compound will make you bigger; and isolation will make you more cut.

Ideally, you would use some compound and some isolation moves.

As for convincing him... good luck. Some people will hold onto their opinions regardless of the facts.

Squats and/or deadlifts - these should be the core of your training. These, along with the olympic lifts, are the most compound and beneficial lifts. I'd say the deadlift is the best, but most here would say squat.

[Dave17]

deffinately wrong.

[SHScornerback22]

Thanks folks. I am gonna sit him down and MAKE him read this thread! This is plenty of proof that he is wrong.

[slackie911]

deadlifts and squats don't really need a spotter to do...worse comes to worse, just do them yourself.

[ziggy25]

[ QUOTE ]
My training partner has a bad back

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldnt recommend squats or deadlift if he has a bad back.. not worth it..

[klosey]

the rule is anything that shocks the muscles will make you grow.. i read somewhere just doing squats will make you bigger plus it depends on his genetics too he may be predisposed to gain muscle easily.....