Why Never Back First?

[Blue09]

It seems that in just about EVERY workout scheme you read (including the stickies on this site...which are awesome IMO [especially DFHT and 5x5]), the back NEVER comes first, except the DL. When trained on the same day, chest exercises ALWAYS get priority over back exercises. Is there some physiological reason that back cannot be trained before chest, or is this more of an ego thing of guys wanting to be able to bench fresh. I was thinking of switching to DFHT for a while and instead of starting Day 1 with higher Rep BB Bench and DB Benches, to do the 5x5 BB Rows first and then go to chest. The 5x5 Chest will still be first on Thursday's workout, so each body part will get priority on at least one day.

Anywho, like I said, is there some real reason for this?

[Bob Smith]

No, just habit of doing chest, then back. Plus, everyone likes to have a big bench number, so thats teh focus. Most people probably should do back first, since they tend to have enormous muscle imbalances between chest/back.

[Girth]

Where are the benches at? I train back and legs together, just for the small chance that I have to skip a workout during my traveling. Thus, I'd get both my leg/back workouts in, and only 1 chest/calves/abs in. Besides, the bigger the chest, the easier it is to knock you off your feet. Shift that center of gravity south!

[kethnaab]

i do back afterward because benches are the lazy-man's exercise, you get to lie down the whole time!

after barbell rows, I barely have enough energy to get out of the gym.

[Parasite]

Insane how these gym myths continue. Guess no one can show off their back like they can chest or arms. I train back first in my routines except when I deadlift. Deadlift takes too much out of me so it ends that workout.

[Blue09]

Originally Posted by Parasite

Insane how these gym myths continue. Guess no one can show off their back like they can chest or arms. I train back first in my routines except when I deadlift. Deadlift takes too much out of me so it ends that workout.

I do the exact opposite. I want to be fresh for my deads. I will take the hit on the other exercises since most of them are accessory exercises after deads. I prioritize deads because I like lifting big....it helps out my shriveled and starving ego....it's like a gross, black ball of moss stuck in the back of a freezer that you didn't know was there until you move the fridge away from the wall.....lol

[perp69]

I do back before chest. Maybe that is why my benching sucks ass I guess. I do deads first also. Maybe I will change these around next go round.

[Bob Smith]

If you DL before benching, I would bet that you have pretty good back development.