Barbell rows, do they work for you?

[Cobin]

I don't know if its just me or not but they don't seem to work to well for me, I don't feel it in my back at all, any tips for making this great exercise work for me? Or what other exercises work the upper back aswell as the Barbell row?

I do them like this:
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/BackGeneral/BBBentOverRow.html

 

[Thaibox]

IMO

I love heavy bent over rows. They are definately second to deadlifts in my book. I always feel my back from them.

Try a more narrow girp so you can squeeze your back harder.

If you do them overhand, try an underhand grip "Yate's style." You can typically go heavier this way also.

You may be bringing the bar to high on your torso

I have never done them from the floor. It doesn't make sense to me.

Try keeping your torso at different angles. My lifting buddy gets the best feel from a much steeper angle than I do. I'm damn near horizontal when I do them.

Make sure you aren't using your legs. They aren't deads.

I've never done them off the floor. Am I missing something on this one?



Where do you bring the bar to? Sternum? Stomach?
Are you squeezing your shoulder blades together at top?

 

[louden_swain]

I love barbell rows!! I have been using them for 6 years! I typically perform them with my back bent at 45 degrees. Here is a routine that I typically use:

Barbell Rows

1 x 12 - 135lbs
1 x 12 - 225lbs
1 x 10 - 255lbs
1 x 6-9 - 295lbs

 

[Cobin]

IMO

I love heavy bent over rows. They are definately second to deadlifts in my book. I always feel my back from them.

Try a more narrow girp so you can squeeze your back harder.

If you do them overhand, try an underhand grip "Yate's style." You can typically go heavier this way also.

You may be bringing the bar to high on your torso

I have never done them from the floor. It doesn't make sense to me.

Try keeping your torso at different angles. My lifting buddy gets the best feel from a much steeper angle than I do. I'm damn near horizontal when I do them.

Make sure you aren't using your legs. They aren't deads.

I've never done them off the floor. Am I missing something on this one?



Where do you bring the bar to? Sternum? Stomach?
Are you squeezing your shoulder blades together at top?

No I never had them touch the floor inbetween reps, but I do pull them from a downward motion towards the floor. Yea I do overhand probably about shoulder width to my chest/upper abs. I will give what you suggested a try. Thanks

 

[TinyTim]

I love barbell rows!! I have been using them for 6 years! I typically perform them with my back bent at 45 degrees. Here is a routine that I typically use:

Barbell Rows

1 x 12 - 135lbs
1 x 12 - 225lbs
1 x 10 - 255lbs
1 x 6-9 - 295lbs

 

[Citruscide]

I don't do them like that... lol, maybe another one of my modifications...

I stand bend over at a 45 degree angle, with my back arched in, and pull the bar toward my stomach... (lower)... the bar is in a constant slow motion... head up. Hard to do much over 245-265 that way... at least for me, I'm sure as my grip improves, I'll get better..

C-ditty

 

[coolcolj]

I do em, love em and they work for me - see this thread for how I do em

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=187798

 

[b fold the truth]

I do barbell rows if/when I can. I do them more upright and let the bar fall below my knees just a bit...then row back to my bellybutton or below. I do 4 sets of 10 reps with about a minute rest between sets. Using the shorter rest periods allows me to stimulate muscluar growth/endurance without having to use a heavy weight which may put my back/spine into an overtraining state...

B True

 

[The Dude]

My advice would not to take a closer grip, but a wider grip if you have trouble feeling it in your back. The closer your grip is, the more easily it is for you arms to become more involved in doing the work. Concentrate on using you back to pull the weight up and don't worry about how much weight. If you don't feel it in your back, lighten the load until you can get that connection. Don't just try to yank up as much weight as you can.

 

[Intenceman]

Try to pull your elbows as far up as possible and squeeze your shoulder blades togther as you contract the back muscles.