DB rows: put the weight down or not?

[VoodooPlata]

So I've fallen in love with sloppy, ugly-ass DB rows. They feel heavy every time I do them yet I can up the weight every session like I could when I was doing 5*5. So I checked out some vids on youtube and the like on DB rows.

I've noticed that everybody seems to be dangling the weight over the floor the entire time, but when I set up on a bench with a flat back perpendicular to the floor the dumbbell goes down to the floor with a big crash. This is because my shoulders aren't perpendicular to the floor the entire time - I torque my torso, as was recommended in this thread, and start the dumbbell from a dead stop every time.

I like doing this, because it gives more ROM and keeps the movement explosive to start the weight. However, is it completely and utterly wrong? How do you guys do your DB rows?

 

[Cratos]

Once I take the DB off the bench, it doesn't touch anything until I'm done the set.

 

[VoodooPlata]

I'm thinking about the fact that Pendlay says to start a row from the floor every time.

 

[belph]

I'm thinking about the fact that Pendlay says to start a row from the floor every time.

well pendlay rows are barbell rows. that would make me assume because your using dumbells instead of a barbell there is a difference. so i wouldn't let the dumbell touch the ground because that just seems pointless and a waste of time. whereas the barbell touching the floor is not a waste of time because you can still easily keep your grip on it.

of course this post is full of assumptions, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[VoodooPlata]

well pendlay rows are barbell rows. that would make me assume because your using dumbells instead of a barbell there is a difference. so i wouldn't let the dumbell touch the ground because that just seems pointless and a waste of time. whereas the barbell touching the floor is not a waste of time because you can still easily keep your grip on it.

of course this post is full of assumptions, so take it with a grain of salt.

I'm sorry, I don't get it - the base principle is the same, starting a weight is heavier and demands explosiveness, right?

 

[SteveX]

I'm thinking about the fact that Pendlay says to start a row from the floor every time.

Pendlay does it this way with barbell rows. I think the reason Pendlay does this is to make sure the torso is parallel with the ground. With normal BOR's people tend to move further and further from this parallel position as the weight gets heavier. This isn't really the case with DB Rows.

 

[KILL KILL]

kroc rows!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mumrik]

Man, I'd love to do DB rows (back issues prevent me from daring to do BB rows), but I don't have access to dumbells heavier than 44lbs.

Maybe 1-armed barbell rows are the way to go. They just seem very awkward.

 

[KnightTemplar]

Does anyone have an opinion as to which is better for strength training: Barbell BOR or Dumbbell Rows? Or is it just a matter of personal preference?

 

[PWR1982]

Well when you don't put the weight down, you get more reps in less time. This exercise, especially when cheated, is usually used as the sort of exercise where you go all out and keep going until you can't do any more. It's probably easier to do that, when you just keep going and don't put the weight down every rep.

It's like doing deadlifts bouncing them off the floor, in a sense. It's hard to say whether it's better to do that or not. Some guys swear that you shouldn't do it, but then you see top strongmen/powerlifters do it...

I'm not sure whether it really matters, but since db rows are usually "accessory", it might be better to do them like kroc does, since that's just a known, effective method of doing them.

 

[Tosa]

VP, just do the rows which ever way you prefer, I don't think it's a big deal. More weight, more reps.

Does anyone have an opinion as to which is better for strength training: Barbell BOR or Dumbbell Rows? Or is it just a matter of personal preference?

BORs will involve the PC, but DB rows do not. Which one is preferable will depend on the individual and what routine you are doing. Personally I prefer DB rows, since typically if I thought my PC would benefit from more work, I'd do more squats, GMs, GHRs or something along those lines.




Yes, I know everyone has probably already seen this video many times, but it doesn't seem right to have a thread on DB rows without posting it.

 

[belph]

I'm sorry, I don't get it - the base principle is the same, starting a weight is heavier and demands explosiveness, right?

true. b

 

[TeddyRoosevelt]

It's like doing deadlifts bouncing them off the floor, in a sense. It's hard to say whether it's better to do that or not. Some guys swear that you shouldn't do it, but then you see top strongmen/powerlifters do it...
.

I think that is an inaccurate analogy. And I don't really understand it.

 

[TeddyRoosevelt]

BORs will involve the PC, but DB rows do not. Which one is preferable will depend on the individual and what routine you are doing. Personally I prefer DB rows, since typically if I thought my PC would benefit from more work, I'd do more squats, GMs, GHRs or something along those lines.

Agreed. For programming purposes, DB rows always make more sense for me than BOR's. If I wanted the additional PC work, I'd add more volume to my squats or pulls, or PC dominant accessory work. But that's just a personal preference, BOR's are a valuable exercise.

 

[KILL KILL]

kroc rows are something that I swear by now. I only do high rep db rows to failure. The effects are noticeable. Plus the extra hypetrophy in my rhomboids looks cool tee hee :icon_chee


No but seriously, the lockout to my deadlift is my strongest part of the lift now.

 

[Eric Brown]

kroc rows are something that I swear by now. I only do high rep db rows to failure. The effects are noticeable. Plus the extra hypetrophy in my rhomboids looks cool tee hee :icon_chee


No but seriously, the lockout to my deadlift is my strongest part of the lift now.

I still have not tried them, but the lockout is the strongest part of my pull.


Otherwise I am big fan of DB rows, but mine are very strict. Barbell rows I do Pendlay style, but that is because it is how I was originally taught to do them 30 years ago. Tried doing rows standing more upright with a suppinated grip and really did not like it. Could have gotten used to it, I suppose, but I get enough rowing work as things stand. I also do a lot of chest supported t-bar rows.

 

[PWR1982]

I think that is an inaccurate analogy. And I don't really understand it.

I see similarity there.

Row where you reset and start from the floor each rep/row where you don't reset, and instead just lower the weight and quickly rep it again.

Deadlift where you reset and start from the floor each rep/deadlift where you don't reset, and instead just lower it and bounce it from the floor, giving you stretch reflex and making the second rep easier.

Reseting builds more "explosiveness" (I'm not sure whether that's the right way to call it, maybe rate of force development is better, hopefully you know what I mean). It also allows you to relax a bit more between reps.
Using the stretch reflex makes the movement different than had you started off the floor. Easier off the floor, makes lockout the limiting factor even more, than had you reset. Also the reason, I think, why sumo deadlifting for reps with bouncing allows you to do far more reps - off the floor is the hardest part for most lifters there.

 

[Poseylifts]

The only time I ever set the weight down when doing Kroc rows is when my grip is failing and I have to readjust real quick. Otherwise I do them pretty much exactly like in that video albeit with much less weight lol.

 

[SherTiger1]

VP, just do the rows which ever way you prefer, I don't think it's a big deal. More weight, more reps.



BORs will involve the PC, but DB rows do not. Which one is preferable will depend on the individual and what routine you are doing. Personally I prefer DB rows, since typically if I thought my PC would benefit from more work, I'd do more squats, GMs, GHRs or something along those lines.




Yes, I know everyone has probably already seen this video many times, but it doesn't seem right to have a thread on DB rows without posting it.

I don't know if it's because his chest is so big, but it seems like he stops short of touching the weight to his chest.

Regarding Kroc rows specifically, is there a shorter ROM and is it ok to stop short of the very top?

In normal DB rows I always find the last 2 inches the hardest part...

 

[Tosa]

I don't know if it's because his chest is so big, but it seems like he stops short of touching the weight to his chest.

I believe he does them with a full ROM. If it looks like he stops short it's probably because he's wearing a black shirt.

In normal DB rows I always find the last 2 inches the hardest part...

Then don't skip them. If you want easier ... well you should be able to guess how I might finish that sentence.