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EricT · 08-29-2007, 01:06 PM

Oh, no no. Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't make myself clear. All I was saying was to drop the rows from the THURSDAY workout. In other words do the rows on Monday, 5x5 sets accross as usual but just do the pullups/chinups on Thursday after your squat and bench...sorry, I wasn't saying not to do rows at all! There is just no real use in setting row records and your energy would be better spent on that day bringing up the pullups/chins which are a very useful exercise in it's own right.

Now, if you want to do a couple of sets of pullups/chins on Tuesay also, after you rows that's cool too but I would just leave it like this:

Sunday: 5x5 Squat, Bench, Rows
Tuesday: DL, Press, light squat
Thursday: Squat, Bench RM attempt, pullups 3 sets to failure

And then later on if everything is going well you can add an accessory or two if you see fit. My fault entirely for the misunderstanding because I didn't make myself clear.

It definitely is a generally good idea to couple rows and bench in a similar plain of movement but don't worry about having the exact same amount of rowing and benching because deadlift actually counts somewhat in balancing that out. Also keep in mind that balancing bench with horzontal pulling (like rows) and balancing overhead pressing with vertical pulling (like pullups and pulldowns) is really only about the deltoid muscles themselves and is NO GUARANTEE in keeping the shoulder girdle healthy.

That is an oversimplistic thing that people have been selling. It's important but it's not everything unfortunately.

The way I've outlined is fine in terms of that kind of balance.