bent over rows

**Bigpup101** · 01-16-2006, 08:54 PM

I've been prioritizing deadlifts in my back routine for the past year, maybe longer. Well for the last 3 weeks or so i've been throwing in some heavy bent over barbell rows, and i have to say my back looks awesome right now..i never thought i would feel bent over rows affecting my lats but i totally love them now

**Anthony C** · 01-16-2006, 09:02 PM

Yeah IMHO I think they are a great mass builder.Yates loved them to and his back was just sick huge ..AC

**TheMudMan** · 01-16-2006, 09:15 PM

I have always used them....... I almost always do them as my first movement

**D9S0M** · 01-16-2006, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by Bigpup101

I've been prioritizing deadlifts in my back routine for the past year, maybe longer. Well for the last 3 weeks or so i've been throwing in some heavy bent over barbell rows, and i have to say my back looks awesome right now..i never thought i would feel bent over rows affecting my lats but i totally love them now

45 or 90 degre angle?

**Alex2** · 01-16-2006, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by D9S0M

45 or 90 degre angle?

http://www.ast-ss.com/training/exerc...p?bp=Back&pn=5

**Alex2** · 01-16-2006, 09:47 PM

I have been doing them for long time and it is great exercise. The trick is to direct the weight pressure to the back, not the arms.

**chest6** · 01-16-2006, 09:48 PM

I love bent over barbell rows. I think I will be replacing them with tbars for a few weeks since I have been doing bent over rows for a month and a half

**kaptainkeezy04** · 01-16-2006, 09:48 PM

pull downs+deadlifts+bent rows+tbar rows=amazing back!

***Doc.Sust*** · 01-16-2006, 10:55 PM

deads and rows are the 2 best back movements hands down!

**Blown_SC** · 01-16-2006, 11:23 PM

^^Agreed. I usually do DL's first as well... but they often fry my lower back so much I can barely do BB/T-bar rows heavy at all haha...

**Flexor** · 01-17-2006, 05:21 AM

Rowing is the best mass building exercise after deadlifts and squats. Next I would put pullups then dips

**Papi93** · 01-17-2006, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by D9S0M

45 or 90 degre angle?

I think most people go with a 45 degree, rather than parallel to the floor. If you go parallel to the floor, your lower back needs to be strong as a bull to handle any significant resistance. The stabilizing demands are tremendous.

**Flexor** · 01-17-2006, 08:48 AM

Agreed. Yates did his almost standing up, hence his variant was the Yates' row, also in an underhand grip to force maximum recruitment of the lats I assume. Perhaps he was also aiming to work the biceps??

**Papi93** · 01-17-2006, 01:18 PM

What trunk angle, do most of you guys use? For me 45 to 70 degrees.

**Bound for Muscle** · 01-17-2006, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Alex2

http://www.ast-ss.com/training/exerc...p?bp=Back&pn=5

FYI the link you posted was bent dumbbell rows, not barbell rows

**primetime1** · 01-17-2006, 01:51 PM

any big difference in doing the rows at 90 compared for 45 degrees. ive seen pics of arnie doin them and hes at 90 degrees. i too do them at 90 but with wieght i can handle so i get a sick squeez for the back. i see alot of dudes who use bent over rows, load wieght on and do crappy form at 45 or so degrees.. any help would be great.. just want the most for my wings

**GunTotingHipGangster** · 01-17-2006, 02:06 PM

i do 90 degree with an inclined bench at 30 deg to rest my forehead on. This takes away from using muscle for stability. I love the squeeze at the top.

**Bigpup101** · 01-17-2006, 04:40 PM

as said above i like to go heavy so i find i can go heavier at 45 degrees rather than parallel but that's just me, i also like using straps on this particular movement i get my back more fatigued this way, when i dont use straps my bi's get an intense pump

**Flexor** · 01-17-2006, 04:46 PM

I am currently loving close grip overhand rows. Before that I was doing some pseudo rear delt style ones, and before that underhand rows. So many useful combos!

**Bigpup101** · 01-17-2006, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Flexor

I am currently loving close grip overhand rows. Before that I was doing some pseudo rear delt style ones, and before that underhand rows. So many useful combos!

havent triedclose grip to be honest with you..how close do you go? i usually keep my hands a little wider than shoulder width for 2 sets and then i'll do some yates style(underhand grip) at the same width for 2 sets..never thought of going closer on these

**Doberman** · 01-17-2006, 08:31 PM

With regards to performing correct form of this exercise should the bar come up to just below the chest/upper ab's? I find it easier/more comfortable to have the bar just above the belly button.

**TADOLFI** · 01-17-2006, 08:42 PM

I do T-Bar where it comes up closer to the belly button - bent rows come up to about 2 - 3 inches below the nipples. But I think it is all dependent on your body make up and what you feel works the back more for you. Some guys have more rounded shoulders (in my case, poor posture) and need to go a little lower to get the most from these exercises.
Just my .02 cents.

**Always Liftin'** · 01-17-2006, 09:30 PM

I have just started them and really like the feel of it, although it seems as im working my middle back more, maybe im doing them wrong? Sorry to hi-jack this post just wanted to know real quick if thats normal.

**Bigpup101** · 01-17-2006, 09:37 PM

i bring the barbell right underneath my pecs and "squeeze" my back at the end..i know its frowned upon but on my last set i cheat on the last few reps to get the most out it and sacrifice form for weight but it works for me, i swing my hips a little bit on the last 2-3 reps

**stayinstacked** · 01-17-2006, 09:40 PM

Yeah, bent over rows are the bomb for a thick back. I get a lower center of gravity myself and lean down a little more, but it works great. 335/8 the other day baby!!!

***Narkissos*** · 01-17-2006, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by Papi93

I think most people go with a 45 degree, rather than parallel to the floor. If you go parallel to the floor, your lower back needs to be strong as a bull to handle any significant resistance. The stabilizing demands are tremendous.

I do these with my torso parallel to the floor.. i always have.

My coach started me in this position from the very beginning.

I personally think it's the most effective position..

***Narkissos*** · 01-17-2006, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by Doberman

With regards to performing correct form of this exercise should the bar come up to just below the chest/upper ab's? I find it easier/more comfortable to have the bar just above the belly button.

I pull to the upper abs.. i think it's about comfort (i.e. biomechanics/ Natural ROM) personally.

***Narkissos*** · 01-17-2006, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Always Liftin'

I have just started them and really like the feel of it, although it seems as im working my middle back more, maybe im doing them wrong? Sorry to hi-jack this post just wanted to know real quick if thats normal.

Are your 'pinching your traps' as opposed to you scapulae at the point of max contraction?