April 2004

The question-of-the-month for April comes from Nick in Pennsylvania, a 20 year old whose goal is to compete in bodybuilding and powerlifting. His question is:

Dear Mike: 

What is the best hand placement for barbell rows - same grip as bench press, shoulder width, inside shoulder width?  Thanks.

Dear Nick: 

Thanks for the great question.  Barbell rows are one of my all-time favorite exercises, and I consider them to be one of the best for adding thickness and mass to the back – second only to deadlifts.  Personally, I favor a reverse (underhand) grip for barbell rows.  I find that a reverse grip allows more emphasis to be placed on the middle to lower lat area.  As far as grip width, I recommend using a variety.   Lastly, remember to keep your elbows in – when you are pulling the bar up, your elbows should be in next to your side as much as possible.

Thanks again for your question, Nick.  Good luck, and as always, don't forget to visit the Past Qs & As and my Training Tips section for more great tips and training info.

Until next month, train hard and stay healthy.

Mike Francois

Do you have a training question for Mike?  If so, visit our Ask Mike section and submit your question.

Note: Before embarking on any nutrition, supplementation, and/or training program, consult with your physician or other licensed health-care professional.