plenty 6 foot+ guys can deadlift nice weights

-bingo! that means you aren't hitting going deep enough w/ your squats, meaning ego lifting.

i'm 6'1 (6'2 w/ shoes on) and closing in on 405...

For maximum gains in general whole body strength and mass, there really is no substitute for squats or deadlifts. The sheer amount of weight that you can shift with proper technique in both requires tremendous CNS resource. Yes, you were looking for alternatives, but we really have done the best thing to kick your ass and ask you to fix these lifts first. Once you do and your numbers start climbing and you start seeing results, you'll be glad you stuck with it. Another thing. No disrespect to people who are personal trainers, but I have seen trainers demonstrate lack of knowledge or experience when it comes to the deadlift. Get a camera and vid yourself. If not to show us, to see for yourself. Great educating tool. Once you playback and see what you are doing wrong, you can associate it with how you felt during the lift. Ditto for doing things right.

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Height 5'7 Reach approx 7'0
BW @ 23 Jul 08: 145lbs (>13%bf)
Re-training start: Jul 08 (post injury+3 mths rehab)

Vertical Training Forum:www.theverticalsummit.com

ya man i know what you guys are saying. every time i look up an excercise that either works out the whole body or makes you put on weight dedlifts are the excercise to do it. im not doubting this trainer, he is highly educated and is over 50 years old, but knowing the world in exercise there is so many theories when it comes down to weight lifting. honestly i think the old school workouts are the best to work on and the highly specialized workouts arnt as great. on the contrary i think TVP has given me a great workout, and regardless of how much it does for my vert i know that puting on a good burn at the gym without overtraining myself is a real good feeling. also ive started stretching with the stretch expert system and have actualy improved my stretching range alot (i can now touch my toes).

thats good, active stretch before and after workouts, even during long rests between sets or something

Listen man, whoever that guy was who told you to find an alternative exercise to deaadlifts, next time you see him tell him to F*** OFF.

Now dont actually do that but deadlifts are one of the most essential weight training exercises. If it is your form that you need help with then ask someone at your gym for help or watch a video on the internet.

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Height: 5,9"
Weight: 141lbs/64kgs
Reach : 7,7"
Wing Span : 6,3"
Standing Vertical: 27 inches(last tested-May 1)
Running Vertical: 30 inches
Goal Standing Vertical: 45 inches
Goal Running Vertical: 50 inches
Position: PG, SG, SF
Program: VJB Novice Weighs + Stronglifts 5*5
Soccer-Basketball-Rugby

was he not asking for alternatives due to injury?

No, he was afraid he "could" get hurt. You'll only get hurt if you use wrong form, but that's true for basically every lift.

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If you have any questions about training, I'd prefer it if you asked them at http://eliteathletes.org/forum

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