Barbell rows.

[SofaGeorge]

There is a strong arguement that that style of bb rows won't give you the same kind of incorporation as free standing bent over rows. The idea being that the very difficulty of doing the free standing row forces you to incorporate multiple muscle groups to stabalize the movement.

Truthfully, most people don't do bent over rows because it is a very difficult and awkward movement. It took me a long time to make peace with it and start progressing up in weight.

I now consider free standing bent over barbell rows one of the three mandatory exercises for a great back. The other two are deads and pullups.

 

[spatts]

I do them like this

 

[Zander1983]

Truthfully, most people don't do bent over rows because it is a very difficult and awkward movement. It took me a long time to make peace with it and start progressing up in weight.

I now consider free standing bent over barbell rows one of the three mandatory exercises for a great back. The other two are deads and pullups.

What he said

 

[WarriorPL]

I use to do standing barbell rows but they are no where as effective as the ones with your chest supported. The hammer strength row machines are incredible.

 

[IronLion]

I do pull-ups, I deadlift, but I feel it is more functional to do an exercise where i can keep my lats tight and flexed the exact same way I do on the bp, plus I like to give my lower back a rest

 

[Citruscide]

I tend to have a higher stance, less bent over... I pull to my waist... with an overhand grip on the bar... making sure to get a good squeeze with my lats on the pull back motion...

The squeeze is the important part, even if you don't "hold it" --- many people I see just pull back with it and don't actually utilize their lats when they are pulling back with the bar... rather, they will use other muscles to pull it back... either their biceps, upper back or sometimes even traps.

C-ditty

 

[Prime Rib]

I now consider free standing bent over barbell rows one of the three mandatory exercises for a great back. The other two are deads and pullups.

What he said! Bent over rows are ESSENTIAL for a good, strong back.


Josh

 

[Lord_Suston]

take a nice 45degree angle and hold your back nice and tight, no real bounce and let your arms go to full extension then squeeze with your lat and draw the weight up. try to relax your arms and work on concetrating on your lats, yes the weight will be hard but the benfits are worth it...

 

[SeanHolmz]

Thanks everyone. That cleared up a lot of confusion for me. Also, good video, spatts, thanks.