Are barbell rows necessary for a good back?

**johnsbod** · 09-25-2005, 12:01 AM

A couple months back I stopped doing them and have been doing seated cable rows instead. I found that it is really hard to keep good form with barbell rows with heavy weight, regardless of whether or not I have the strength to move the weight. I also do dumbell rows on shoulder day, but I pull the dumbell up to my chest to emphasize the rear delts more.

**Peaked_18** · 09-25-2005, 12:02 AM

T-Bar Rows

**BobThePotato** · 09-25-2005, 01:57 AM

I think as long as there is some form of row the routine is fine.. but i hate DB rows they feel like shit.

**johnsbod** · 09-25-2005, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobThePotato

I think as long as there is some form of row the routine is fine.. but i hate DB rows they feel like shit.

Well, I do dumbells mainly for rear delts, but I do seated cable rows too.

**DarkFalcon** · 09-25-2005, 03:06 AM

Dumbell Rows are OK if you really focus on your form. If you pull your shoulder parallel before starting the movement instead of letting the weight hang all the way down and concentrate on lifting with your back instead of your arm you'll really feel it. You need to start out with light weight to really get the proper feel.

**johnsbod** · 09-25-2005, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFalcon

Dumbell Rows are OK if you really focus on your form. If you pull your shoulder parallel before starting the movement instead of letting the weight hang all the way down and concentrate on lifting with your back instead of your arm you'll really feel it. You need to start out with light weight to really get the proper feel.

I feel my form with dumbells and seated rows is much better than bb. When I used heavy weights on bb it's harder for me to keep good form, even though I can easily lift the weight.

**Trick D** · 09-25-2005, 03:17 AM

I like doing them on the smith machine, and doing reverse grip and neutral grip. I love them.

**DarkFalcon** · 09-25-2005, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsbod

I feel my form with dumbells and seated rows is much better than bb. When I used heavy weights on bb it's harder for me to keep good form, even though I can easily lift the weight.

I find them a bit ackward too so I use T-bar like peak said.

**BobThePotato** · 09-25-2005, 05:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFalcon

Dumbell Rows are OK if you really focus on your form. If you pull your shoulder parallel before starting the movement instead of letting the weight hang all the way down and concentrate on lifting with your back instead of your arm you'll really feel it. You need to start out with light weight to really get the proper feel.

sounds like to much work to me

**BigZeke** · 09-25-2005, 05:46 AM

I use both DB and BB rows, but I'm starting to get into pullups/chinups. Never could do them before, so now I'm using them and feelin it a lot in the lats.

**builtbeast** · 09-25-2005, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnsbod

A couple months back I stopped doing them and have been doing seated cable rows instead.

I don't feel they are necessary myself.

I do T-bar rows and am pretty happy with that exercise.

I've just started back doing 1 arm db rows again as well.

Ihateeveryone · 09-29-2005, 12:42 PM

Some sort of free weight row is needed. I love Yates Rows, they work well for me - but I never added as much mass to my mid and upper back as I did doing Parallel Grip T-Bar Rows.

**BigZeke** · 09-29-2005, 04:50 PM

I found BB Rows more effective than Yates Rows.

fredpo · 09-29-2005, 06:31 PM

I find that BB rows are really good for your overall back. Ronnie states that he does them with a heavy weight. With using a heavy weight, it forces every muscle in your back to work so you can pull the weight up. I alternate deadlifts with barbell rows weekly.

Fred

pammiejoe6 · 09-29-2005, 06:35 PM

i persoanlly love bb rows...course i also do t-bar rows and db rows depending on my mood....

when i do bb rows i always make sure to split it up and do both pronated and suppinated grip....varying the grip really hits different areas in your back.

i have had great success with bb rows....so i think ill keep doing them...i dont think they are absolutely NECESSARY though, as long as youre doing a variety of things for your back on a regular basis you should benefit.

**Ikaika** · 09-30-2005, 08:43 PM

I always include BB rows in my routines because they recruit your lats more than any other exercise, according to studies by Tudor Bompa. He measured the amount of electrical stimulation in various muscles while doing different lifts and thats what he figured out.

I've found that alternating BB rows and deads from week to week works well to spice things up a bit and emphasize different parts of your back. Doing them both on the same day is nothing short of awful.

**johnsbod** · 09-30-2005, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikaika

I've found that alternating BB rows and deads from week to week works well to spice things up a bit and emphasize different parts of your back. Doing them both on the same day is nothing short of awful.

I guess that may be my issue with BB rows. I do deads every week and do them first, but I like doing them every week and nothing hits my entire back like deads. Since I do both seated cable and DB rows that's probably enough and so far my back hasn't suffered at all since I dropped BB. My form is much better on those after doing deads too.

09-25-2005, 12:01 AM	#1
johnsbod Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vienna, Austria Posts: 2,965 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 62	Are barbell rows necessary for a good back? A couple months back I stopped doing them and have been doing seated cable rows instead. I found that it is really hard to keep good form with barbell rows with heavy weight, regardless of whether or not I have the strength to move the weight. I also do dumbell rows on shoulder day, but I pull the dumbell up to my chest to emphasize the rear delts more. __________________ Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen können, posten Sie hier. Misc Perv #69

09-25-2005, 01:57 AM	#3
BobThePotato Nublarsaurusrex Join Date: May 2005 Location: Calgary//Alberta Posts: 519 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 21	I think as long as there is some form of row the routine is fine.. but i hate DB rows they feel like shit. __________________ "Geadelt ist wer Schmerzen kennt vom Feuer das in Lust verbrennt."

09-25-2005, 05:46 AM	#10
BigZeke Bringing Lat Flares Back Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hell Raisin' and Girl Chasin' Posts: 2,280 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 69	I use both DB and BB rows, but I'm starting to get into pullups/chinups. Never could do them before, so now I'm using them and feelin it a lot in the lats. __________________ Eat like a horse. Lift like a demon. Sleep like the dead. Only cheat on girls, never on your workouts My Workout Journal "I like the color red because it's a fire. And I see myself as always being on fire." -- Arnold Schwarzenegger

09-29-2005, 12:42 PM	#12
Ihateeveryone Pro Stature Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The Castle of Blakkheim Posts: 752 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 10	Some sort of free weight row is needed. I love Yates Rows, they work well for me - but I never added as much mass to my mid and upper back as I did doing Parallel Grip T-Bar Rows. __________________ Bullshit things: Hippies Astrology Rap music Nu metal Leg presses Communism Nitric Oxide Left wing politics Decaf coffee Fortune cookies Cutting Prudes Wine coolers Non materialism F**k marijuana - legalise steroids!! Bart: Ohhh, this place smells, and somethings dripping on me! Willie: The smell's manure, and the drippin's manure!

09-29-2005, 04:50 PM	#13
BigZeke Bringing Lat Flares Back Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hell Raisin' and Girl Chasin' Posts: 2,280 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 69	I found BB Rows more effective than Yates Rows. __________________ Eat like a horse. Lift like a demon. Sleep like the dead. Only cheat on girls, never on your workouts My Workout Journal "I like the color red because it's a fire. And I see myself as always being on fire." -- Arnold Schwarzenegger

09-25-2005, 12:02 AM	#2
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,297 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	T-Bar Rows

09-25-2005, 03:06 AM	#5
DarkFalcon I've got a RAGING clue! Join Date: May 2005 Location: dnyc99's cleaning staff Posts: 12,526 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 309	Dumbell Rows are OK if you really focus on your form. If you pull your shoulder parallel before starting the movement instead of letting the weight hang all the way down and concentrate on lifting with your back instead of your arm you'll really feel it. You need to start out with light weight to really get the proper feel.

09-29-2005, 06:31 PM	#14
fredpo Amateur Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 93 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 3	I find that BB rows are really good for your overall back. Ronnie states that he does them with a heavy weight. With using a heavy weight, it forces every muscle in your back to work so you can pull the weight up. I alternate deadlifts with barbell rows weekly. Fred

09-29-2005, 06:35 PM	#15
pammiejoe6 Pink Members Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: south texas Posts: 4,163 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 84	i persoanlly love bb rows...course i also do t-bar rows and db rows depending on my mood.... when i do bb rows i always make sure to split it up and do both pronated and suppinated grip....varying the grip really hits different areas in your back. i have had great success with bb rows....so i think ill keep doing them...i dont think they are absolutely NECESSARY though, as long as youre doing a variety of things for your back on a regular basis you should benefit.

09-30-2005, 08:43 PM	#16
Ikaika resident degen Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,791 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 214	I always include BB rows in my routines because they recruit your lats more than any other exercise, according to studies by Tudor Bompa. He measured the amount of electrical stimulation in various muscles while doing different lifts and thats what he figured out. I've found that alternating BB rows and deads from week to week works well to spice things up a bit and emphasize different parts of your back. Doing them both on the same day is nothing short of awful. __________________ No supplement can make up for the lack of a strong work ethic.

10-01-2005, 03:39 AM	#18
BobThePotato Nublarsaurusrex Join Date: May 2005 Location: Calgary//Alberta Posts: 519 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 21