Barbell Rows
I like the dumbbell version better because it takes some of the back strain out of the movement, but there’s no denying the awesomeness of the barbell row. There are a lot of variations here, and some of them are pretty awful. The key to doing these properly – and the same holds true for any other exercise – is to figure out what you want to accomplish with the exercise. Then, you perform it in a way that accomplishes this goal.
For example, some lifters squat because they want to move the heaviest weight possible in a full range of motion (powerlifting). With squatting, for example, you improve your leverages, take an advantageous stance, descend quickly, etc. By contrast, some people squat to improve their quad mass. This lifter will squat differently.
The point here is to ask yourself why you’re doing this. Are you doing barbell rows to improve upper back and lat strength? Or are you doing them to improve your barbell row? One (the former) is based on muscles, and the other (the latter) builds a movement.
Answer this question and you will never wonder how to do a barbell row again. Like the dumbbell row, the barbell row is great for the bench press and the deadlift.
