Squat Versus Deadlift: There's a Difference

I see so many gym goers in Raleigh struggle to perform a deadlift. Instead they do a squat. They are NOT the same. The simplest way to tell them apart is to look at which joint bends the most: squats are knee-dominant, while deadlifts are hip-dominant.

-  The Squat (A Push): This is a maximal knee bend and maximal hip bend movement. Your torso stays relatively upright as you drop your hips straight down, as if sitting into a low chair. You are pushing the floor away to stand up.

- The Deadlift (A Pull): This is a maximal hip hinge and minimal knee bend movement. Instead of sitting down, you drive your hips straight back—like you are trying to close a car door with your glutes while holding groceries. Your torso hinges forward, and you pull the weight off the floor.

There is also a difference in muscle recruitment. 

- The Squat - Quads, Glutes, Back of Body, Inner thigh, Calves

- The Deadlift - Hamstrings, Glutes, Erector Spinae, Forearms (grip strength), and Core.