+1KarlM wrote: ↑Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:01 pmI generally agree with this, but I don't think I do when you're just starting out. In my case, I had been lifting for several years doing p90x stuff, which has a lot of body building stuff in it, and had made gains. When I switched to the big compound lifts (when I found SS), I made new gains in size for maybe about a year, then that stopped. Traps got bigger, pecs and triceps started growing. Forearms for some reason grew. Ass grew. Not anything outrageous, but it was noticeable (I got comments from friends and family, and my wife was rather impressed as well!). About a year ago when I did several months of pull/push/legs with a bodybuilding emphasis (with the big three still in my rotation, but reduced volume) I made some more gains.quikky wrote: ↑Mon Jan 22, 2024 4:00 pm I really wish the bIG CoMpOUNds religion would die. Somehow if you don't focus on SBD, you fail the manhood test, or something. Nothing wrong with SBD if you love the lifts or train for powerlifting or adjacent sport. However, the nonsense of SBD building great physiques, or squats being the king of lifts, or deadlifts building your whole body has led far too many people astray. If you want to look like a bodybuilder, train like one. I don't know why so many people cannot reduce their obsession with SBD while being closeted physique lifters.
Maybe I should just say big compound lifts are important, but more important the earlier you are in your lifting journey.
I don't think that they're essential for that first year's growth, but they absolutely will accomplish it.