Weak w/ BB Rows

[BOOEY]

I consider my back to be pretty strong, but for some reason I'm having trouble increasing the weight on BB Rows. I'm getting stronger on all my other back exercises except this one. I've tried doing them first, supersetting them with other back exercises, rest/pause, heavy, light ... everything. Any ideas? Also, should I consider throwing this exercise out of my routine if there's no way I can progress in it? Thanks bros

 

[eat big]

hmmm what training method are you using? 5x5 may help, also whats your grip like? oh and one more, im from va where do you live?

 

[BOOEY]

I don't use a specific training method, basically 4 or 5 exercises 3 to 4 sets depending on which bodypart. I like to mix it up a lot. My grip is over hand (palms facing me) with a shoulder width apart. I live in Fairfax what about you.

 

[eat big]

i live in richmond, it could possibly be the worst city in the nation. anyways, do you do deads? try the 5x5, it's worked well for me so far on my back especially. also, if none of those work it seems like your changing it up a lot but try and do the same thing for a few weeks really heavy to see what happens. i know when i change it up which is about once a month, i lose strength.eat big

 

[wnt2bBeast]

well i would say this..its better to do an exercise that you are not good at or that you have difficulty with..im thinking that BB rows are hitting a weak spot of yours that you didnt know existed..i would really stay with them..heres a clip everyone has their own variation especially of whats right and what is wrong..but use this as a guideline

http://www.joeskopec.com/joeskopecbent.mpg

 

[BOOEY]

What I meant by switching it up was amount of sets or rep range. I usually keep 2 or 3 core exercises that I do everytime (like Incline Press and Flat Flyes for Chest). I may give the 5x5 for back and see what happens.

wnt2bbeast - My back is more parallel with the floor than the dude in the vid. I may give this a shot tho, can't hurt. But do you think doing the bb rows like this and doing t-bar rows in the same workout is redundant? seems like the same position, only grip is wider with the bb rows

 

[wnt2bBeast]

if your bent over more at the hips and your comfortable that way thats fine..play around with it though but make sure your still hitting the back..

the back is such a large muscle group..yeah i think its redundant but i also do 2 rowing movements in my workout (BB Rows and dbell rows or Hammer high rows)
but if your seeing results then stick with it

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

I notice when doing barbell rows that I need about a shoulder width grip and about the same back angle as the guy in the video. If I lean over anymore I lose alot of pulling power. You're probably limiting the amount of weight you use by leaning over alot. Most of the guys I see rowing big weight seem to use about 35-45 degree back angle.

 

[BOOEY]

I notice when doing barbell rows that I need about a shoulder width grip and about the same back angle as the guy in the video. If I lean over anymore I lose alot of pulling power. You're probably limiting the amount of weight you use by leaning over alot. Most of the guys I see rowing big weight seem to use about 35-45 degree back angle.

Yeah, I'm going to fool around with the angle next week when I hit back again... I'll update then. Thanks bros

 

[BOOEY]

Hey Beast, I tried to the BB Rows like the guy on the video and I was able to add 50 pounds extra to the bar ... Still kind of confused on why that happened. Do you think I should keep doing them this way and completely ditch back parallel to the floor?

 

[ghettostudmuffin]

Well, the reason you were able to add 50lbs was because your pulling leverage got alot better with the higher back angle. Instead of pulling straight up leaning almost horizontally over, you are now pulling up and back. Simply laws of gravity bro. I bet you don't feel so weak doing rows now do ya!

I knew I was doing something wrong when I saw a smaller guy than me that couldn't lift as much in basically every exercise do more weight for strict reps on the BB row. At first I figured he just had a really strong back. Then I realized his back wasn't all that impressive and noticed the angle he was pulling at. I get a better back contraction with the more upright rowing so I look at it as the best of both worlds. Heavier weight and better contraction=more strength and size!

Keep hittin them rows man.