With Squats I try to go as low as I can, always at least parallel, i try for ass to the grass. I have not yet gotten knee pain from doing squats, but like I said i was taking it slow.

I've been trying to include deadlifts into my routine but have not been doing them consistently. The dude I work out with has a bad lower back and will not do them. But your right, i should be doing them. When is a good time for deadlifts? during a back workout?

I don't really care about my weight # just more of my gut size. And I wouldn't mind getting bigger at the same time. I did read thru the sticky before I posted, but wanted some special attention

Thanks again for the advice