Deadlifts and squats in armwrestling. The scientific view # Armwrestling # Armpower.net

There is no straight answer to that question. Opinions differ, when concerning armwrestling. In the last article, we have asked the top European armwrestlers for their opinion. Most armwrestling starts, as well as regular fighters, think that those exercises are just general base, without application at the table. This time we have asked an international class master of sports, European and world champion, winner of Nemiroff World Cup – Andrey Antonov. Andrey also has the title of trainer of highest level, is a member of Informational Technologies Laboratory and a chief editor of Science and Sports” section in the “Zelazny Mir” magazine. Being an exceptional armwrestler, as well as trainer-consultant in strength training, he will definitely be able to answer our question about deadlifts and squats.

When looked upon from the fighting point of view, those exercises are not necessary for armwrestling – says Andrey. – Squats activate no muscles involved in armwrestling, but in deadlifts the fingers are activated – however, that is secondary, there are many other fingers-specific exercises.

I would like to give you the definitive answer, but there are a few arguments in favor of those exercises.

As we all know, the most important factor in muscle growth is the high level of anabolic hormones (testosterone, growth hormone and others) in our blood – says Andrey. - Those hormones are produced in glands under high levels of stress. Stress can also cause resistance when performing strength exercises; pain and “burn” during static and dynamic workouts. The more mobile units involved in a movement, the more stress is generated in our body, and the more hormones produced. Armwrestling training is based mostly on specific work of arms, especially forearms. Those muscles as such are relatively small, so even with large resistance, hormonal production will not be significant in them.