Barbell rows vs 1 arm DB rows

[anthrax]

Which one do you prefer and why?

 

[jc1908]

I usually mix it up, dumbells for a week then bb's the next

 

[HunterUk]

Atm I only do BB rows, feel that it works the back as a unit better and that I can lift slightly heavier weights.
Although I can see the advantages of DB rows to help keep imbalances to a minimum, will prob switch it up to them if I notice any problems!

 

[Forced Negative]

i do both, bb one week db next.

 

[BOOEY]

I've just started doing 1 arm db rows again after sticking w/ bb rows exclusively for about a year. Feels great. I agree with the above posters: mix it up.

 

[EnderJE]

BB rows. Only because then there are less rows.

 

[HAPPYKC]

Dumb bell rows.

I prefer and use dumbell rows as it tends to isolate the back, without too much interferance from the biceps and lower back.
Although the barbell will allow me to lift alot more, the weight is shared with other body parts such as the biceps to a significant degree. On the other hand a proper dumbell lift using the shoulders as a focus will exclude the use of the biceps to a significant degree and allow me to feel intense pain in the back/lat area. (How i love it).

Furthermore I work my lowerback heavy with my deadlifts and stiff leg dead lifts anyway. The dumbell row kicks butt.

As for the best exercise to improve the back, I have to say that it is weighted chin ups as it is a nasty and painful (wonderful) workout. It seems to recruit the whole back much more so than some silly lat pull down machine.

 

[MsBeverlyHills]

I prefer db rows to barbell rows if im working my deadlift at high intensities as a % of 1RM.

 

[sandman_007]

i do one arm rows and barbell rows every workout....

a typical back workout for me

Barbell rows
1 Arm Dumbell rows
Wide grip chins**
Seated Rows
Wide grip pulldowns**
Closer-grip V-Bar Pulldowns **
Deadlifts

** means i choose one of the three

i like to do both because i feel they work different areas of the back in different ways.

 

[string_bean00]

I mix it up, db, bb, and t-bars.

 

[beerdrinker]

What about 2 arm DB rows? Anybody like those?

 

[musketeer]

Barbel row is a tougher thing to do as you must stabalise your body through the pelvis. The DB row typically allows you to concentrate more on the pull with the lat because you are braced on the bench with the "non-working" arm.

I prefer the barbel row because it is a more basic, compound, closed chain exercise - but do love to show off occasionally with the dumbells - lifting the 165's for reps...

 

[d-dub]

Usually use barbell rows, but go single arm if lower back is feeling overly fatigued from deads etc because I can support myself with one arm on a bench.

 

[nishnish]

What about 2 arm DB rows? Anybody like those?

i do these... i like to alternate from one arm to two arms each week.

my back workout:

wide grip chins- 3 sets

one arm or two arm dumbell rows- 3 sets

barbell rows- 3 sets

i switch up the order of the dumbells and barbell rows each week as well

between these three exercises (9 working sets total) my back is toast.

 

[Tweakle]

alternate them weekly, there's a reason DC's routines are set up the way they are

personally I prefer db rows, but I do low reps and there's only one gym in TO that has 200's... so I to the one arm hammer row instead

 

[Mr_Sinister]

Have you tried db rows while lying on a bench? Helps if you have lower back problems, and cheating is alot harder to do, plus the movement isn't restricted like a chest supported row.

 

[anthrax]

Have you tried db rows while lying on a bench? Helps if you have lower back problems, and cheating is alot harder to do, plus the movement isn't restricted like a chest supported row.

I like that too but you can't use as much weight as with regular DB rows

 

[Mr_Sinister]

Okay, I was thinking of this variation of the dumbell row,

http://www.abcbodybuilding.com/exercise3/lyingdumbbellrows.htm

true you can't hold dumbells that are the same size as a one-arm row, but you can split the weight in half for each hand and progress up.

 

[Tacosupreme]

BB... bigger weight = bigger muscles

 

[musketeer]

BB... bigger weight = bigger muscles

I agree that the barbell row is probably a better mass builder, but anyone who has been lifting for a while will probably agree that the weight of a single dumbel that they can row will be greater than half the weight of a barbel row:

I can BB row 290lbs for about 6 decent reps, but do one arm dumbell rows braced on a bench with 165lbs for 6 reps; which would be 330lbs if I could handle it in each hand.

Similarly, Ronnie can do reps with 500lbs with a barbel, but has gone on the record, saying that he has done dumbel rows with 300lbers (yes 300!)

 

[Tweakle]

it's the torso twist that does it, I've never seen anyone using decent weight on the DB row that uses textbook form

I've found the t-bar (oly bar wedged in the corner) lets you use the most weight of any rowing exercise but the ROM is a little short

 

[Little Boy]

I only do DB rows....

I've tried barbell rows and they are tough, can't use much weight.

I think I'll start alternating each week, because I already alternate BB and DB bench each week, so why not do the same on the opposite movement?