Why I DON'T Do DEADLIFT Day Anymore | What I Do Instead...

For years, I trained with a dedicated “deadlift day.” But as my experience evolved, so did my approach. I’ve learned how to get stronger by training smarter—not harder—and this session is the perfect example of that. In this video, I take you through a full squat-dominant lower body day. You’ll see how I program deadlift variations, how I warm up for optimal movement without fatigue, and why I no longer isolate deadlifts into their own training day. Here’s what we cover: How I prep my body before any big session (shoes, salt, hydration, creatine) Why the leg press is part of my squat warm-up Breathing mechanics and setup cues that increase range and control The difference between “racks in” vs “racks out” and what works for me Footwear decisions: when and why I wear elevated heels vs flats A full breakdown of my squat warm-up structure, top sets, and drop-offs Why I program deadlifts as accessories and how I’ve gotten stronger because of it My reasoning for not doing direct core work, and how I build trunk strength without it The difference between powerlifter-style vs weightlifter-style leg development What I mean when I say, “train to progress, not to prove” If you're a coach, athlete, or lifter looking to improve technique, avoid overuse, and build a more sustainable long-term approach to strength training—this video is for you. → Apply for the VIP Mentorship: https://strengthsystem.com → Subscribe for real-world, in-gym coaching and breakdowns every week. 00:00 – Introduction & Warm-Up Philosophy 01:15 – Choosing the Right Shoes for High-Heel Squats 02:50 – The Trade-Off: Stability vs. Quad Emphasis 05:00 – Salt, Hydration & Creatine Strategy 07:00 – Racks In vs. Racks Out – Why It Matters for Shoulder Mobility 08:20 – Why I Squat Twice a Week & Use Deadlifts as Accessories 09:30 – Stiff-Leg Deadlifts vs. Conventional – Programming Philosophy 10:50 – The Leg Press: Squat Warm-Up or Quad Builder? 12:00 – How I Structure My Warm-Ups (And Why) 14:00 – Exhaling for Range: The Leg Press Hip Hack 15:30 – My Thoughts on Core Training (Or Lack Of) 16:00 – The Power of the Stiletto Squat for Quad Growth 17:15 – Low Bar vs High Bar Squat Breakdown 18:00 – How I Progress Weight on Squat Days 19:00 – How Many Warm-Ups? Why It’s Not a Waste of Energy 20:40 – The Role of the Belt and Equipment Progression 22:30 – What “Warm” Really Means – Prepping the Nervous System 24:00 – How to Brace for Big Squats: My Personal Technique 26:00 – Fixing the Real Limiting Factor in Your Squat 28:00 – Tempo, Focus & The Psychology Under Heavy Weight 30:00 – High Bar Top Set + My Honest Thoughts Post-Set 34:00 – Why I Don’t Do “Deadlift Day” Anymore – My Hybrid Strategy 36:00 – The Difference Between Powerlifters & Weightlifters (Legs vs. Back) 38:00 – The Truth About Squats for Quad Growth 40:00 Top Set Reflections – How I Know It Was a Good Lift 43:00 Volume Back-Offs and Adjusting Load Based on Feel 46:00 Why I Don't Do Dedicated Core Work 49:00 Pulling Movements & Back Engagement on Leg Days 52:00 The Powerlifter vs Weightlifter Leg Development Split 55:00 My Personal Programming Philosophy 58:00 Final Thoughts on Longevity, Strength, and Smart Training