I hated squats also, but loved DLs. I would DL all day every day if I could. No single exercise did more for me strength, body comp or confidence wise. The hea

I hated squats also, but loved DLs. I would DL all day every day if I could. No single exercise did more for me strength, body comp or confidence wise. The heavy lifting is a gift and a curse. I tore my ACL wakeboarding while I was near my strongest and the surgeon said my base strength definitely helped in my recovery. Eventually I had to stop chasing PRs after hurting my back playing basketball (plus I got old hah). I hope your back healed up ok, b/c back pain is the most debilitating pain I've ever experienced.