dynamic row

[iron_worker]

So I guess rows really aren't that important then? Should I be prioritizing pull ups over rows? I just always assumed that since pull ups always seems to fall into accessory work that it was lower on the list then others. Someone should make a list somewhere of the priority of exercises for strength training.

[Eric3237]

No, I think they are very important. VERY. Just trying to put things into perspective. The question is what are they important for? Are they important so you can row a lot? Well, of course you want to progress and be as strong as possible on any exercise, but do you do rows just so you can be good at rowing? Or is rowing part of an overall balanced plan to be strong? And what is your way of showing that strength?

I admit that I find it a little strange that rows are usually placed above pullups priority wise. However, rows have become part of the main group of exercises on these 5x5's by default. Yes, I believe in rowing a lot. But I personally prioritize pullups the same as rows and I don't havethink I would call them accessories but more integral than that.

Rows were written into these workouts to replace things like powercleans. But if you were dong pc's rows would be something to help pc's not the other way around.

Hell, look at it like this. People talk about olympic squatting all the time and make it an end unto itself just like I was saying people seem to be doing for rows. Or squats in general. But it depends on your perspective. Actual olympic weightlfiter don't do olympic squats to get hella strong at olympic squats. They do it as a training tool for the actual lifts they compete.

It may interest you to know that many strength and conditioning coaches begun viewing the pullup as a better evaluator of strength (for testing and planning purposes) than the bench press which used to be considered some gold standard of assessment.

However I am not saying that rows are not important even for a second. They are a HUGE part of my training. I do at least 3 different kinds right now on any given training week. But I don't do rows to be strong at rows..that is a side effect. I do rows to help develop the specific musculature to help with the big movements. And to maintain shoulder girdle health.

Priorities differ depending on goals, so you would have to know that in order to develop a list of priorities for any given person, not to mention their weaknesses and strengths.

Anyway, all that aside I meant to respond to this:

I think I'm going to just have to man up and throw my ego aside when I do rows. Drop some weight and do the reps right. Well, I have some work to do I guess....

Absolutely. That's the bottom line, IMO. Don't be so greedy and take the time.

[HIThopper]

Barbell rows are just plain awkward for me but I sure love Dumbell rows, I feel them sooooo much more, I guess because there is only one side of the body to think about!!

[Riddick2112]

i'm just the opposite Hops, i could never get the groove going with DB rows. i always felt it in my shoulder more than anything else.

once again i agree with Eric, pullups/chins should be part of the main group of exercises done to increase strength and size, not considered an accessory movement.
imo, if you want a bigger, stronger back (which will in turn help you get a bigger, stronger front!), pullups/chins and rows are essential.

and chins will build your bi's better than any curling movement.

just my $.02

[BeerMyster]

ok i have another question.

My fat ass cant do pull-ups, whats everyones opinion on an alternative.

should I just do wide bar lat pul-downs or should i use the pull-up machine thing that simulates a pull-up where you can offset your bodyweight making it possible to do them and work up from there till I can actually do them myself??