Deadlift vs. Squat: Which Is Better, and What Muscles Are Targeted?

Whether squats or deadlifts are better depends on your workout goals.

For example, if you're interested in building back and core strength, in addition to working your leg and glute muscles, deadlifts are a strong option.

Squats, on the other hand, are beginner-friendly and effective for building strength in your legs and hips.

While deadlifts may target your glutes and hamstrings more deeply than a squat, they don't target your quadriceps. If you're looking to build strength in this part of your leg, squats may be a better option.

Which is better for people with knee pain?

If you have knee pain, squats may further irritate your knee. They can also increase your risk for knee pain.

With a deadlift, knees should remain stable, so they can be a safe option if you experience knee pain.

If you're experiencing knee pain from squats, you may want to check your form and make sure you're performing squats correctly.

Ensure you're pushing your glutes back instead of down. Allow your knees to push out as you bend instead of pushing them in front of you.

If deadlifts cause pain in your knees, you may need to stretch and foam roll your hamstrings and hip flexors, which may lessen pressure on your knees.

Which is better for people with lower back pain or injuries?

Deadlifts can help strengthen the muscles of your lower back. This may help with low back pain.

But if deadlifts cause any additional back pain, avoid them. Also avoid them if you have a recent back injury.

You can modify squats if you have back pain. Try performing a wider-leg squat, or don't squat down as far.

Which is better for beginners?

Squats are arguably a more beginner-friendly exercise than deadlifts. Deadlifts require a specific technique that's tougher to get down at first.

You can also modify squats for different fitness levels. If you're a beginner, you can start by doing wall squats, or sliding down a wall, until you have the technique down.

Beginners can also practice squats by using a chair to squat down until seated, and then use the chair to help stand back up.

This is an effective way to practice squats for people at risk for falls, like older or pregnant people.

If you're a beginner and interested in adding squats or deadlifts to your routine, consider working with a personal trainer first. They can help you learn proper technique and reduce your risk for injury.

A bodyweight squat requires no equipment. For more of a challenge, you can also do a weighted squat using a rack and barbell, with or without weights. Or, do squats with dumbbells in each hand.

Here's how to do a squat:

1. Start with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, toes turned slightly out.
2. Keep your chest up and out, engage your abdominals, and shift your weight back into your heels as you push your hips back.
3. Lower yourself into a squat until your thighs are parallel or almost parallel to the floor. Your knees should remain aligned over your second toe.
4. Keep your chest out and core tight as you push through your heels to stand back up to your starting position. Squeeze your glutes at the top.
5. Perform 10–15 reps. Work up to 3 sets.

To do a deadlift, you'll need a standard 45-pound barbell. For more weight, add 2.5 to 10 pounds to each side at a time.

The amount of weight to use depends on your fitness level. Continue to add weight only after you've mastered the correct form so you don't get an injury.

Here's how to do a deadlift:

1. Stand behind the barbell with your feet shoulder-width apart. Your feet should be almost touching the bar.
2. Keep your chest lifted and slightly sink back into your hips while keeping a straight back. Bend forward and grip the barbell. Keep one palm facing up and the other facing down, or both hands facing down in an overhand grip.
3. As you're gripping the bar, press your feet flat into the floor and sink your hips back.
4. Keeping a flat back, push your hips forward into a standing position. Finish standing with your legs straight, shoulders back, and knees almost locked out. The bar should be held with straight arms slightly lower than hip height.
5. Return to starting position by keeping your back straight, pushing your hips back, bending your knees, and squatting down until the bar is on the ground.
6. Repeat the exercise. Aim for 1–6 reps per set, depending on the amount of weight you're lifting. Perform 3–5 sets.

Depending on your fitness level, there are endless ways to make squats and deadlifts easier or more challenging.

If you're a beginner, you can start practicing deadlifts by using two dumbbells placed on the floor instead of lifting a barbell.

Advanced variations include lifting additional weight. You can also mix it up by using a trap or hex barbell or a kettlebell.

Beginners can also try squats with a chair behind you, sitting down on the chair at the bottom of the movement. Then you can use the chair to push back up to a standing position.

Advanced squat options include performing squats with a weighted barbell on a rack or performing jump squats or split squats with or without weight.

Squats and deadlifts are both effective lower body exercises.

They work slightly different muscle groups, so you can perform them in the same workout if you wish. You can also mix up doing squats one day, deadlifts another.

To avoid injury, make sure you're doing each exercise with proper form. Ask a personal trainer or friend to watch you do them to confirm you're performing them correctly.