| Ah back training, other than leg day, nothing is probably | | | | included here. |
| more dreaded. | | | | The bent over row can be done with either a barbell |
| Why? | | | | or dumbbells, but for beginners I feel it is easier for |
| Simple, because a PROPER and I want to stress the | | | | them to learn proper form with a barbell. That is what I |
| word proper, back work out is not easy, it requires | | | | mostly recommend, but if you have been around |
| work, hard work to be honest, and that turns a lot of | | | | bodybuilding for awhile and you simply have gotten |
| people off. | | | | away from this exercise, use whichever variety you |
| The reason I am focusing on back thickness in this | | | | feel is best. |
| article is because I feel it is an area that a lot of people | | | | With this exercise you want to really think two things |
| are lacking in. | | | | stretch and squeeze, and by this I mean you want to |
| It really is a shame because a super thick back will | | | | give your back muscles a good stretch at the |
| help you stand out from the crowd, either at the beach | | | | beginning of the movement and squeeze them hard at |
| or on stage. | | | | the top. |
| O.K. lets get to it. | | | | With the rows, do not worry so much about the |
| DEAD LIFTS | | | | weight, get a good stretch and squeeze and focus on |
| To me nothing symbolizes back training like dead lifts, | | | | pulling the bar to your lower pec line and you will be |
| they are hard, they work the whole back, and to me | | | | fine. |
| are a true test of total body strength, and trouble is | | | | For variety and to work even more of the back |
| you rarely see anyone doing them anymore. | | | | (which is a good thing) you can also do bent over |
| While people like to throw around excuses, like they | | | | rows with a reverse grip (palms facing up instead of |
| are bad for the back, I suspect the real reason is | | | | down with the regular bent over row). |
| because of what I said above, dead lifts are hard, pure | | | | A good way to fit this row into your routine is to do |
| and simple. | | | | regular bent over rows for two weeks and then |
| Now it is beyond the scope of this article to outline the | | | | switch over to reverse grip bent over rows for two |
| proper technique to use when dead lifting, but I would | | | | weeks, the change is not only good for your muscles |
| like to give a few tips. | | | | but for your mind as well. |
| First, and foremost, learn how to do the lift properly | | | | For the above three exercises I would recommend in |
| from someone knowledgeable. Then master the | | | | the beginning sticking with the trusted 5x5 program, |
| technique, and then and only then, start to add weight | | | | that is five sets of five reps per set, when you are just |
| to the bar or dumbbells, depending on which variation | | | | learning them. Then when you get the form down and |
| of the dead lift you choose. | | | | are comfortable with them, feel free to try different |
| Second, make sure your body stays tight throughout | | | | rep ranges to see how these affect you. |
| the lift. Now I do realize that you may be able to get | | | | CONCLSUSION |
| away with improper form when the weights are small, | | | | There you have it, three very basic but very hard |
| but when the weight on the bar starts to get heavy, | | | | back exercises, which if done properly, will add some |
| any form problems you have will come to a head | | | | serious thickness to your back FAST! |
| quickly. | | | | However, I would be remiss if I did not add this final |
| BENT OVER ROWS | | | | point. Please, especially after any workout in which you |
| Really you could get away with doing just dead lifts, | | | | do dead lifts remember to consume some form of |
| but the bent over row exercise is one that not many | | | | post workout nutrition, (I prefer a formula which |
| people do. Plus it is simply great for hitting the middle | | | | contains whey protein hydrolysate and maltodextrin) |
| back, and most programs are woefully deficient in | | | | which will help to ensure that all your hard work will not |
| ANY form of rowing (and chins and pull ups do not | | | | be wasted. |
| count as rowing movements) so that is why it is | | | | HAPPY TRAINING! |