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Hi guys i have been thinking about how different exercises effect different body types and for me deadlifts seem to be a dangerous exercise because i have short legs and a longer torso which makes squats a much better and safer exercise for me(and i′m also stronger on them) where those who have a short torso and long legs seem to do better on deadlifts. Mike mentzer said that deadlifts were the best exercise one could do but he was a pure mesomorph with legs and torso of equal length so he had the body type that could do well on both deadlifts and squats where as i get back pain from deadlifts that can be really bad so i tend to think that if you have a short torso and long legs deadlifts would be the best exercise for you and if you have a long torso and short legs then squats would be the exercise that suits you.Let me know of your experiences with this. I am now going to train doing squats,dips and pulldowns with 6-8 reps per set once every 5-7 days and take more time off as i get stronger,do you think this is a good routine to follow for strength and size,thanks.

hitormiss,

I don′t think their is such a thing as a DANGEROUS EXERCISE (of course everyhting has it′s risk)! The only thing that makes an exercise dangerous POOR, SLOPPY, JERKY, BALLISTIC execution. Also lifting a weight that is TOO HEAVY for you to handle properly. Perform all your exercise in a SLOW and DELIBERATE way and you will see better progress minus the INJURIES. And DEADLIFT is definitely the KING of all exercises. I sugggest you stick with it for better OVERALL strength and Size gains. PEACE.

hitormiss,

I also used to think that I was not meant to do the Deadlift. I have a similar frame to what you are describing, as my legs are short, with a longer torso. One way that I have eliminated back problems is to limit my squatting to once a month or so. You need to perfect your technique in the deadlift, as NeuroMass says, it is definitively a superior exercise. Squatting is very productive also, but since we have long torsos, alot of the stress might fall onto the lumbar region if not done near perfectly.
Do this by not wearing a lifting belt and start from scratch, meaning lower your weight on deads until you reach 8 reps or so. You will be able to go heavier rather quickly, and your legs will not lose much strength, since deads also use similar plane of movement as squats. Also, you will find in your squats that your lower back will be much stronger, and going to parallel or a little below parallel with squats will become easier.
Deadlits pack on mass.
Your routine should yield decent strength gains, but I am not sure about size though. Maybe you′ll be lucky to stimulate all the targeted muscles thoroughly…