Optimal lower body hypertrophy is possible without performing barbell back squats or deadlifts.

“Which is amazing. I same background as you. I got into competitive powerlifting in college just because I was no longer an athlete and I was looking for an outlet and it was like, okay, I'm good at lifting weights. So started competing in powerlifting. Started hurting myself, back problem, shoulder surgery and athletic training background, get to college as a strength coach, start to see the same things. I've got athletes with back problems. Everybody's back problem seems to come down to one thing, back squatting.”