[johnsmith182]

almost anyone whom i have gotten to do barbell rows right always comes back to them as the basis for their back routines... they get tired of them after a while and do other things, but always come back because they work so well. deadlifts, chinups, and lots of other things work for back, but in my opinion nothing works quite like barbell rows if they are done right.

it might interest you to know that we hooked an EMG machine up to people doing various kinds of back work, and NOTHING came close to rows for activating a large amount of motor units. i wouldnt "prescribe" exercises based on this alone, but it does back up the practical experience that i have had.

keep in mind that i mean rows with the back pretty much parallel to the ground, bar touching the floor on each rep, little or preferably NO hip extension during the row, a pause on the floor if need be, and the reps pulled fast and explosively.

rows done right are almost like a squat, they involve so much of your bodys muscle mass. you get real tired and hell ive been lightheaded and had to sit down after a set. they are a hard, hard exercise.

there seems to be some confusion on how to do them right on some of the other threads, so i will see if i can get a pic or two of them in the next day or so.