How taxing?

[dhw]

I would have to say that Squats are first, just because of more sets and reps. But, I've started doing more total reps on Deadlifts warmups/working set/heavy singles, and I'm pretty wiped out when that is done. Hang Cleans and BB Rows would be next.

[Dada]

Deadlift b/c it's the only one that makes me feel like puking after. The clean and press will burn you out quick though.

[JasonLB]

I would have to say that Squats are first, just because of more sets and reps. But, I've started doing more total reps on Deadlifts warmups/working set/heavy singles, and I'm pretty wiped out when that is done. Hang Cleans and BB Rows would be next.

The very fact you can do more total reps with squats is why it isn't more taxing than the deadlift. Try deadlifting with the same volume and trust me, you wont be havin' fun...

[killerdude494949]

The Deadlift is harder to recover from why exactly? I heard its really hard on your CNS to hold heavy weight in your hands?

Anyway I think squats are harder than deadlifts because the weight is always on your back and must be controlled as opposed to the deadlift where there is no negative and we start from a dead stop.

It looks like most people are listing leg and back exercises. My personal list:

Squat>Deadlift>Power Clean

[dhw]

I would have to say that Squats are first, just because of more sets and reps. But, I've started doing more total reps on Deadlifts warmups/working set/heavy singles, and I'm pretty wiped out when that is done. Hang Cleans and BB Rows would be next.

The very fact you can do more total reps with squats is why it isn't more taxing than the deadlift. Try deadlifting with the same volume and trust me, you wont be havin' fun...

For one rep, you are right on, deadlift is it.

[JasonLB]

The Deadlift is harder to recover from why exactly? I heard its really hard on your CNS to hold heavy weight in your hands?


Anyway I think squats are harder than deadlifts because the weight is always on your back and must be controlled as opposed to the deadlift where there is no negative and we start from a dead stop.

As for upper body no exercise makes me gasp for air more than clean and presses. Dips also.

I wont pretend to have a scientific explanation for you, but I'm sure it's because most can handle more weight with the deadlift. I can work up to my 5 rm squat a couple times a week and recover just fine; if I try doing that with my deadlift, like I said, I'm not getting out of bed that weekend. But I have about a 100 lb difference between the two, so I'm sure the effect is more pronounced for me than someone who pulls roughly what they squat.

[Bluegreyhound]

The Deadlift is harder to recover from why exactly? ...
... the deadlift where there is no negative and we start from a dead stop.

Killerdude. I think you answered your own question while defending the squat as your top spot. Remember that there isn't any real eccentric loading of the muscles to assist with breaking contact with the floor in the deadlift. Depending on how you deadlift, there is little to no stretch reflex too. Deadlifting requires 100% pure brute (voluntary) force.

If you need convincing, try doing 5x5 heavy deadlifting and see how often you can do that 3 days week... while trying to break new PRs. Then switch to 5x5 squatting and compare.

[NoGood]

The Deadlift is harder to recover from why exactly?

Well, the deadlift is tougher for several reasons. As some has mentioned, you cannot take advantage of the stretch reflex and, additionally, way more muscles will have to fire to support the load and it is an open chain exercise.

As many have said, could you imagine yourself deadlifting 3 times a week?
I went that route, it's tough! Granted doing heavy squats 3 times a week on top of it was properly overkill as well.

[killerdude494949]

Isn't the deadlift a closed chain exercise? And aren't closed chain exercises supposed to be the harder ones? Am I missing something?

[NoGood]

Isn't the deadlift a closed chain exercise? And aren't closed chain exercises supposed to be the harder ones? Am I missing something?

No, a closed chain exercise is the squat. Basicly - if you move a bar in your hands, it's often an open chain exercise. Incline bench press is open, pushups are closed.
Same reason why for example Bill Starr have adviced against replacing Dips with decline hammer grip dumbell presses or whatever other fancy exercise you may come up with. It's simply not the same.

Albeit there are numerous other factors to consider as well, it's a good rule of thumb. You'll often find you progress more in closed chain exercises before you need to deload.

[JasonLB]

The deadlift is actually a closed chain exercise. An example of a lower body open chain exercise would be a leg curl, or knee extension.

[NoGood]

The deadlift is actually a closed chain exercise. An example of a lower body open chain exercise would be a leg curl, or knee extension.

Would you explain why you say that?
Regardless, you are still firing more muscles in a deadlift than in a squat, so point still stands.

[JasonLB]

sure... A closed chain exercise is an exercise that has the distal end of the limb(s) fixed. So, in the deadlift, for instance, the bar is moved by an application of force to the ground, through the feet, which are fixed against the ground. Alternatively, you could think of it as moving the body in relation to the point of resistance (the ground, a pullup bar, etc) as opposed to moving the point of resistance (the bar during a bench press) in relation to the body.

[killerdude494949]

If you agree that the squat is closed chain then you should agree that the deadlift is closed chain because the deadlift is essentially a squat but the bar is in your hands.

And I'm not sure of what kind of deadlifts have your hands are move the bar. Your arms are supposed to remain in the same position and angle to the ground as you stand up because the bar must go up in a straight line and your hips should move forward and shoulders back which would actually cause your body to move closer to your arms which are in a fixed position so the deadlift is definetly closed chain.

And again, arent closed chain exercises supposed to require more muscles to fire thus making them more taxing? Youve said a few times now that open chain exercises are harder..

[NoGood]

Well, I agree my understanding of close and open chain exercises may have been a bit oversimplified.
I am mainly basing my point on the open chain exercises on own experience and a few of Bill Starr's articles. Closed chain exercises doesn't nescessarily trigger more muscles, but many do as you say.

Anyway, this is probably offtopic, the original question was what exercises were the most taxing!

Deadlifts
Squats
Bench
Bent Over Row (mainly cause I suck at them)
Chinups
Military Press

My list.