My opinion on squats has not changed since. Betting on being able to keep perfect form every single time, especially without the assistance of a fellow athlete, is a dangerous proposition. You may have performed the same squat routine 100's of times before but one fateful day, because you happen to be more tired or less concentrated than usual, the same 200 lbs may suddenly be too much to handle and, if no attendant is present, you will have to compensate by using improper form to get back up. This single incident may be enough to inflict a serious injury with catastrophic long-term consequences.
However, after two years of practicing deadlifts with a barbell once a week, I have come to the conclusion that DLs are a completely different animal than squats. For one thing,: if you have overestimated your strength of the day while deadlifting, all you have to do is drop the bar to the ground, no matter what position in the movement you are in. The worst that could happen then is a loud thud on the gym floor and the ensuing disapproving looks from disgruntled onlookers. That's why I would recommend performing deadlifts on an relatively soft floor, which should be no problem at most gyms.
Now for the incredible benefits of deadlifting: in my over 25 years working out at least 4
