Barbell Rows on a Smith?

[Amra]

I had to switch memberships to a smaller gym and they don't have a standard barbell- just a short one.

Bent-over rows were a staple of my back routine, but now I have to either do them on the Smith or with a weird short bar.

Any thoughts? I'm not sure about using a fixed line like on the Smith because I think my movement had a slight arch to it when I did the row.

[chazzy1864]

I've seen it done quite a bit. I personally wouldn't want to, but hell, I don't do bent over BB row any more anyways.

[sealed335]

question number 1. Do they have a bench press? if so then steal the bar off of there if you really want a normal bar. i use the bar from the bench press and it works great for me. just tell everyone else to mind their own business.lol

[PearlSoap]

I had to switch memberships to a smaller gym and they don't have a standard barbell- just a short one.

Bent-over rows were a staple of my back routine, but now I have to either do them on the Smith or with a weird short bar.

Any thoughts? I'm not sure about using a fixed line like on the Smith because I think my movement had a slight arch to it when I did the row.

Why would you want to join a gym that doesn't even have at least ONE 7ft olympic bar!!?!??!?!!!?!!!!!!!!!

[ZoranM]

I'd definitely use the weird short bar.

[taf1968]

I actually do the bent rows on a Smith Machine quite a bit . . . I kind of like it. The only issue is that some Smith's I've used have safety stops that are a little too high so you can't really get the ROM (bar stops too far from the bottom of the movement). But the one at my main gym works great.

I just decided to try them one day and it just seems to work well for me. I tend to cheat less and can really focus on form. Give it a shot and see what you think.

[MaltLoafKid]

I think your better of using the small bar its obviously a better option for building mass as your challenging the body more, but i wouldnt say using the smith machine is to bad either maybe you should just try both and see which one you like better or switch between the two options keep your back thinking?

[ironwill2008]

Any thoughts? I'm not sure about using a fixed line like on the Smith because I think my movement had a slight arch to it when I did the row.

I don't see a problem with using what's available. And as long as you maintain the arch in your back, as you would anyway, you should be good to go.

[TigerStealth]

they are decent and will suffice but i like how I can use more stabilizer muscles with free weight bb rows. One positive from smith rows though is that it should really allow you to focus on the negative

[cobhc]

I don't bend over parallel to the ground so there's a little bit of angle to my row, I wouldn't be able to do it on a smith machine. I'd use the bench press bar, like others said.

[bghadery]

this is a out-the-box idea but try using two clips on either sides of the weight to hold the weights at the ends of the short bar. It may only add 1-1.5 eftra feet of length but it will still involve stabalizeing muscles more than the short bar with weights all the way in

[jetlynk]

Surprised no ones mentioned using dumbbells. Be good for working the stabilizers, pretty much same motion as doing normal dumbbell rows just don't turn the wrists in. Also wondering how it would work using a long bar on the cables to to them. Just some suggestions. I'm sure you'll find a way around it.

[creationd]

I had to switch memberships to a smaller gym and they don't have a standard barbell- just a short one.

Bent-over rows were a staple of my back routine, but now I have to either do them on the Smith or with a weird short bar.

Any thoughts? I'm not sure about using a fixed line like on the Smith because I think my movement had a slight arch to it when I did the row.

If you like doing them go for it. I have seen pros do them, look at Silvio Samuel. Charles Glass thinks they work,
but his clients are on that creatine .

[theGuy045]

smith-machine bent row, grip: underhand and narrow

[chinesemuscle]

I do both barbell and smith machine, I get a much better squeeze with the smith machine but I have to do it on a platform because of the stupid stoppers. You can use the shorter bar also, your grip should be shoulder width if you want to do lats anyways. Or you can do T-bar rows.

[PearlSoap]

f*ck man do it!

[bballer05]

I don't mind doing the bent over BB on the smith machine...i use the step board so i'm a little higher up and get more of an extension...but the standard olympic bar BB rows are the best. do you use reverse or front grip?

[Jack_Lupino]

i don't like it at all because when doing BB rows i prefer pulling the bar into my body as opposed to trying to awkwardly hang over it in a smith. upright rows on the other hand feel good w/smith. yet IMHO the best kind of row one can do with a smith is inverted row aka horizontal pullup aka australian pullup. feels good man.

[PearlSoap]

i don't like it at all because when doing BB rows i prefer pulling the bar into my body as opposed to trying to awkwardly hang over it in a smith. upright rows on the other hand feel good w/smith. yet IMHO the best kind of row one can do with a smith is inverted row aka horizontal pullup aka australian pullup. feels good man.

Can you post a video of the exercise you are describing?

[jetlynk]

Can you post a video of the exercise you are describing?

I think he's describing it as doing it this way which is more proper.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3z...ell-rows_sport

[skadooosh]

if you dont have access to a barbell, might as well use the smith. cant use what you dont have

[ASIAN NIGHTMARE]

i use the Smith for BB Rows. Works just fine

[PearlSoap]

I think he's describing it as doing it this way which is more proper.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3z...ell-rows_sport

no thats not it

[BIGSTTNJFF]

I had to switch memberships to a smaller gym and they don't have a standard barbell- just a short one.

Bent-over rows were a staple of my back routine, but now I have to either do them on the Smith or with a weird short bar.

Any thoughts? I'm not sure about using a fixed line like on the Smith because I think my movement had a slight arch to it when I did the row.

I have tried the smith for rows before and I think it makes you arch a little to much.

[Jack_Lupino]

no thats not it

well actually that was the first thing i was mentioning but since you didn't specify...

anyways i gave you 3 different names for the same thing google just one of them and i'm sure you'll get multiple results.

[jetlynk]

I have tried the smith for rows before and I think it makes you arch a little to much.

That's what I figured. Thought you back was supposed to be close to a 45 degree angle and the bar pulled towards the lower rib cage with the knees bent for better lower back support. But i guess if it doesn't hurt or feel wrong. I personally wouldn't do it just i did something wrong and hurt my back. Get much further doing things safely then when your lying on your back in pain.

[flangmasterj]

f*ck man do it!

^ That.

If you are stimulating the muscle and going to failure who gives a rats dick what you are using?

I frequently do it on the smith. There is very little difference between that and a free row.

[dsgb610]

anything smith is so gay... bench, squat, row, whatever.... but the smith at my gym is angled weird anyway so it would be difficult. I like doing smith barbell calf raises

[createeen]

Dumbbell Lying Row
http://www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/...BLyingRow.html

This is as good as Barbell Rows.

[flangmasterj]

anything smith is so gay... bench, squat, row, whatever.... but the smith at my gym is angled weird anyway so it would be difficult. I like doing smith barbell calf raises

Great attitude.