Bentover Barbell rows on Smith machine?

Dvst8or · 10-29-2005, 07:25 AM

Is it good to do these on the smith machine to take the stress off of the lower back, or is better and more beneficial to do it free weight (off the smith)?

Thanks,
Brian

**bubba g** · 10-29-2005, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dvst8or

Is it good to do these on the smith machine to take the stress off of the lower back, or is better and more beneficial to do it free weight (off the smith)?

Thanks,
Brian

For me it is the opposite.. I think the best thing you could do is strengthen your lower back so that the stress is not a problem...

Heavy deadlifts with perfect form are great at doing that. After I deadlift heavy for a few reps when I pick up the bar to do my rows it feels light...

It used to be that after deads bent over rows killed me because my lower back was fatigued, but it didn't take long before my lower back could handle anything I threw at it....

Another thing you could try are Yates Rows.. It is where you grab the bar with an underhand grip, and you don't bend over nearly as far... I will post you s pic in a minute

**Peaked_18** · 10-29-2005, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dvst8or

Is it good to do these on the smith machine to take the stress off of the lower back, or is better and more beneficial to do it free weight (off the smith)?

Thanks,
Brian

I always use free weights, I ditched the smith machine a while ago.

If you start to do this, may be possible your new weak point is your lower back.

**Hi-Caliber** · 10-29-2005, 03:52 PM

I'm a major advocate of free weights. I think that most injuries come from using machines that over-isolate the movement and don't build the stabilizing muscles that are so important.

Kinda like these idiots that wear a belt for everything. I only wear one on deads and squats on the sets after 225lbs which is warmup weight. Using one too much prevents those muscles from building and then you become one of these whining pussies who can't do real exercises 'cause it hurts your back that you failed to build.

Use free weights. Use good form and your lower back shouldn't hurt doing bent rows anyway. I don't lift big weight, but on my heavy week I do my last 2 sets of 4-6 reps at 215lbs, and my back never hurts from it. Now my elbows, that's a different story.

**Peaked_18** · 10-29-2005, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Caliber

Kinda like these idiots that wear a belt for everything. I only wear one on deads and squats on the sets after 225lbs which is warmup weight. Using one too much prevents those muscles from building and then you become one of these whining pussies who can't do real exercises 'cause it hurts your back that you failed to build.

I'm glad your towarding this towards the Bodybuilding guys. If you directed not wearing belts to powerlifting and strongman guys, you'd get so much guff from me.

**Hi-Caliber** · 10-29-2005, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

I'm glad your towarding this towards the Bodybuilding guys. If you directed not wearing belts to powerlifting and strongman guys, you'd get so much guff from me.

Hey, even some of you big-bellies wear belts too much when not going heavy!
:snack:

**Peaked_18** · 10-29-2005, 04:28 PM

Since when do powerlifters not go heavy?...

We got big bellies for a few reasons. We use them to improve are lifts (belive it or, not if you want some tips just ask), and we like to eat.

Dvst8or · 10-29-2005, 04:55 PM

Yea that is pretty much what I thought. Specifially relating to the stabilizer muscles. I was just not sure how important they were for that particular exercise.

Thanks for the info guys.

Brian

**Hi-Caliber** · 10-29-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peaked_18

Since when do powerlifters not go heavy?...

We got big bellies for a few reasons. We use them to improve are lifts (belive it or, not if you want some tips just ask), and we like to eat.

Well, hopefully you're not going heavy when warming up. That's what I meant. BB'ers should be going just as relatively heavy as well. If not, they're not getting the most from their workouts.

I know about the bellies bro. I'm just playing.

**Peaked_18** · 10-29-2005, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Caliber

Well, hopefully you're not going heavy when warming up. That's what I meant. BB'ers should be going just as relatively heavy as well. If not, they're not getting the most from their workouts.

I know about the bellies bro. I'm just playing.

Of course their warm-ups are heavy.

**Hi-Caliber** · 10-29-2005, 06:47 PM

LOL! Even the biggest powerlifters know you have to start your warm-ups light. Otherwise it's not warming up.
Anyway back to the topic:
Whatever your goals, IMHO the best route is via free weights.

**Peaked_18** · 10-29-2005, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hi-Caliber

LOL! Even the biggest powerlifters know you have to start your warm-ups light. Otherwise it's not warming up.
Anyway back to the topic:
Whatever your goals, IMHO the best route is via free weights.

To them it's light, to us it's not.

BBAddict · 10-30-2005, 02:37 AM

The only time I use the Smith for bent-over rows is if I feel like my stabilizer muscles are already tired from another exercise or from hitting them on a previous day. Otherwise, like they said, you can hurt yourself when you try free weights and are just cheating your overall development.

10-29-2005, 07:25 AM	#1
Dvst8or Amateur Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 3	Bentover Barbell rows on Smith machine? Is it good to do these on the smith machine to take the stress off of the lower back, or is better and more beneficial to do it free weight (off the smith)? Thanks, Brian

10-30-2005, 02:37 AM	#13
BBAddict Pro Stature Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In The Gym Posts: 101 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 4	The only time I use the Smith for bent-over rows is if I feel like my stabilizer muscles are already tired from another exercise or from hitting them on a previous day. Otherwise, like they said, you can hurt yourself when you try free weights and are just cheating your overall development. __________________ PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY.

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10-29-2005, 03:52 PM	#4
Hi-Caliber IronMass Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 964 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 25	I'm a major advocate of free weights. I think that most injuries come from using machines that over-isolate the movement and don't build the stabilizing muscles that are so important. Kinda like these idiots that wear a belt for everything. I only wear one on deads and squats on the sets after 225lbs which is warmup weight. Using one too much prevents those muscles from building and then you become one of these whining pussies who can't do real exercises 'cause it hurts your back that you failed to build. Use free weights. Use good form and your lower back shouldn't hurt doing bent rows anyway. I don't lift big weight, but on my heavy week I do my last 2 sets of 4-6 reps at 215lbs, and my back never hurts from it. Now my elbows, that's a different story.

10-29-2005, 04:28 PM	#7
Peaked_18 a la commode Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 4,247 Recipes: 2 Rep Power: 96	Since when do powerlifters not go heavy?... We got big bellies for a few reasons. We use them to improve are lifts (belive it or, not if you want some tips just ask), and we like to eat.

10-29-2005, 04:55 PM	#8
Dvst8or Amateur Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 3	Yea that is pretty much what I thought. Specifially relating to the stabilizer muscles. I was just not sure how important they were for that particular exercise. Thanks for the info guys. Brian

10-29-2005, 06:47 PM	#11
Hi-Caliber IronMass Sponsor Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 964 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 25	LOL! Even the biggest powerlifters know you have to start your warm-ups light. Otherwise it's not warming up. Anyway back to the topic: Whatever your goals, IMHO the best route is via free weights.