5x5 question about rows

[ScottK345]

I was wondering if there was any excersizes I could replace with rows because when i do rows I get this funny feeling it my back. What muscles do rows work? and I thought I read somewhere that you could replace rows with power shrugs which would be ok with me cause I want to get some huge traps.

 

[Cynical Simian]

You should be feeling something in your back when you do rows. They work pretty much your whole back, particularly the middle back (rhomboids), in addition to your biceps. Keep the rows for overall back development and add a few sets of shrugs if you want to target your traps more.

 

[Jim Ouini]

I did clean pulls instead of rows my 2nd run through of 5 x 5. You may not like it though since you have to dead on Wed.

I believe powershrugs are already Madcow approved as a sub for BB rows. Might want to check the mother thread.

 

[blut wump]

I subbed power cleans for rows last run.

Can you be a little more specific about the 'funny feeling'?

Getting the position down correctly should be the first priority. You should be trying to minimise the shearing forces on your lower back. This requires a tight back and often sticking you glutes out for ballast.

Try to work with lighter weights until you find the position even if that means going down to just the bar. Don't begin a program using the exercise until you are comfortable with it.

 

[ScottK345]

the feeling I get in my back is kind of a shakey feeling and I just want to finish as fast as possible. I might just have to lower the weights. This is my second time doing madcows 5x5 method, so now that I am in higher weights I have just started getting that feeling. I used to get the same feeling when I first started squats but that eventually went away. Im wondering if its my form too cause I cant get to 90 degrees its probably more like 45. and I dont have a mirror in front of me where I do them so its hard to know if I am doing them right.