New back pic ITT (non lifters need not enter)

[PancakeBrah]

bench/squat/deadlift/press are functional. that's just a fact. they're compound movements that do more than add muscle.

also, idk why people keep calling them olympic lifts. they're powerlifting lifts. olympic lifts are snatches and cleans and shit like that. although squats are an olympic lift. ive never heard of the big four being referred to as olympic lifts. you're freaking me out @Diode @Bags

using the big 4 will give you "functional strength" (that phrase has become a buzzword that i just ignore at this point). will bodyweight exercises give you functional strength? yes. i would argue they're not as effective at building that "functional strength", though. show me someone who can rep out an impressive weight on bench and i bet they can hold their own in dips. pull-ups are included in any serious lifting routine. it's a blend. people who disregard heavy lifting aren't necessarily wrong, but they could be more right. there's literally no downside to powerlifting. all the old wives tales about being too muscle bound/losing flexibility/etc. have been proven false.

do what you want to do. i personally believe that focusing on those aforementioned compound movements with some pull-ups and other accessory work is the best and most efficient means of becoming "FUNCTIONALLY STRONG". if you think that a strong bench doesn't translate to functional strength, you're wrong. point blank. same with the rest of the big four.

powerlifts+accessory work+HIIT+LISS=functional strength.

being huge like masaii isn't for everybody. even as a proponent of weightlifting i don't want to be that big. but to say it's not practical is short sighted.