CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE SEPTEMBER || ISSUE 38 | Page 58

Barbell Deadlift
There is no other exercise that recruits more muscle fibers
and no other exercise that can match the deadlift in
stimulating gains for overall muscle mass. I know the
deadlift has a reputation for being dangerous for your lower
back, but there is a simple solution. Stop pulling with a
rounded back! If you maintain proper body position and if
the weight is too heavy for you, it simply won’t move off of
the floor. 
Standing Overhead Barbell Press
Pressing a weight overhead recruits every major muscle
group – top to bottom. Similar to the deadlift, the more
muscle recruited, the more stimulation for gains: every
physique competitor can use bigger shoulders, right? I must
point out that a full range of motion is important to minimize
risk of injury and to exploit the most benefit from this
exercise. Make sure to start the barbell in your rack position
(bar resting on front delts/upper pecs) and finish the
movement with elbows fully locked out and barbell
overhead.