Squat and bench question

[David03]

Is it ok to save squats for last so you can't do as much and their will be less strain on your knees over time.

Can the same go for bench. I don't powerlift on the bench anymore because of my shoulder. I just try to get as much as I can at the end of my chest day. I now focus on lifting the weight slow and contract. Will the gains be as good doing it this way.

[FullMoonHowlingWolf]

David, yes it's ok to perform squats at the end of your leg routine, but most like to squat early in their workout to maximize this great basic movement. If you've warmed up properly doing squats at the end or beginning should make no difference on your knees. The same applies to the bench press another fundamental basic movement. It is good that you focus on controlling the weight and your muscle contraction. You should get good gains from this depending on your goals, diet, training, and rest.

[Warrior]

I have done squats this way in the past to finish off legs - back then I would finish a heavy leg workout with some light squats in the bottom half of the ROM... in my weakest range.

Asisde from some basic prexhaustion or warm up techniques, compound movements are generally done in the beginning because of the size of the load that you can utilize. It is better if you are mentally alert and physically replenished to avoid injury and to generally keep proper form.

If you move a compound movent to the very end - I would not suggest trying to break PR's in a 1RM at the point...