04.27.11

Rowing Correctly: The Reality

Posted in Exercises at 2:21 pm by Brad Clark

Doing rows for your back seems like a relatively simple exercise, but there are a few things about the form that most people (including myself) miss.

What not to do:

• lifting the dumbbell as if you’re doing the same motion to start your lawn mower.
• pulling the dumbbell in a completely vertical motion.
• making a jerking motion.

The most common mistake I see people make is when they jerk the dumbbell to their chest, making the motion more of a lower back exercise than anything else.  When you jerk the dumbbell around, or pull it like you’re trying to start a lawn mower, you not only look stupid – you are detracting from getting any worthwhile exercise.

What you should do:

• pull the dumbbell at a steady pace.
• bring the dumbbell up at a diagonal angle, with the dumbbell stopping near your hip.

By bringing the dumbbell up in a diagonal angle toward your hip, you better utilize your latissimus dorsi, which is one of the main points of doing the exercise!

This video shows a good steady pace and body form, but the motion is vertical.  Remember: the dumbbell should stop near your hip!

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