T-B Rows on a Smith Machine?... Yep...

[homonunculus]

Using a CG Handle on the smith. I switch sides b/c the Smith is angled slightly. You have to be careful to keep the Smith hooks open and be ready for the bar to pull off to the side a bit. With and Angled smith like this one, I'd suggest caution in doing really heavy sets (e.g., 10RM or heavier), but a vertical smith works great for heavy training.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YccvYe4cp-o

[YOUTUBE]YccvYe4cp-o[/YOUTUBE]

-S

[RageBlanket]

Why?

Does this do something other t-bar rows don't? Is it simply an option if the only available tool is a smith machine?

[theroymccoy]

Why?

Does this do something other t-bar rows don't? Is it simply an option if the only available tool is a smith machine?

Sometimes you gotta switch it up on kids

From the looks of it, it would keep you more parallel to the floor and emphasize the lower, mid part of the back. As opposed to regular T-bar rows where you're angled upwards and have a tendency to stand up straighter, which would hit more of the upper back.

[homonunculus]

Why?

Does this do something other t-bar rows don't? Is it simply an option if the only available tool is a smith machine?

Sometimes you gotta switch it up on kids

From the looks of it, it would keep you more parallel to the floor and emphasize the lower, mid part of the back. As opposed to regular T-bar rows where you're angled upwards and have a tendency to stand up straighter, which would hit more of the upper back.

Thank you, TRM.

-S

[homonunculus]

Different exercises require a different recruitment pattern in the more basic way that TRM mentioned (different areas of the prime movers), but also simply b/c the velocity of motion will be different, stabilizing musculature requirements different, relative loading on concentric vs. eccentric actions will vary, the movement is relatively more novel (which will tend to cause greater DOMS and fiber disruption), etc., etc., etc.

Weight training for the purpose of bodybuilding is operating within an framework of adaptation. A stimulus must generate a novel signal (and be supported nutritionally, etc.) in order to elicit greater adaptation (talkin' growth here). Novel can mean more weight, more reps with a given weight, less rest / recovery between sets, less recovery between workouts, etc. or, in a very basic way, simply by ADDING VARIETY to your training with novel exercises.

So, this might see kind of obvious when you read what I wrote above, but it seems like when someone asks, "Why?" (not trying to pick on you RB - that's kind of a funky exercise at first look) in the very basic general sense as far as using a new exercise, especially one that's basic in terms of being a compound movement that lends itself to heavy progressive overloading, the I think it's worth it to revisit the idea that it's just damn nice to have another basic core kind of lift in the tool box.

Now, if I were lying on my back doing inverted cross-cable rows with a 100lb dumbbell on my chest, I might think, "WTF?..." but I hope that those who try this exercise like it as much as I do.

(Major drawback is simply that most smith machines are not 100% vertical, which sucks in my opinion anyway, although I'm kind of used it now after using them for a couple decades... )

-S

[Pheedno]

I have an old school smith that's vertical so I'll try this out next back day. Looking forward to it, Dr.

Of course the (much welcomed) nerd talk below applies but, sometimes, you just have to come up with some new digs to keep the monotony out of the workouts

Weight training for the purpose of bodybuilding is operating within an framework of adaptation. A stimulus must generate a novel signal (and be supported nutritionally, etc.) in order to elicit greater adaptation (talkin' growth here). Novel can mean more weight, more reps with a given weight, less rest / recovery between sets, less recovery between workouts, etc. or, in a very basic way, simply by ADDING VARIETY to your training with novel exercises.

-S

[theroymccoy]

Different exercises require a different recruitment pattern in the more basic way that TRM mentioned (different areas of the prime movers), but also simply b/c the velocity of motion will be different, stabilizing musculature requirements different, relative loading on concentric vs. eccentric actions will vary, the movement is relatively more novel (which will tend to cause greater DOMS and fiber disruption), etc., etc., etc.

Weight training for the purpose of bodybuilding is operating within an framework of adaptation. A stimulus must generate a novel signal (and be supported nutritionally, etc.) in order to elicit greater adaptation (talkin' growth here). Novel can mean more weight, more reps with a given weight, less rest / recovery between sets, less recovery between workouts, etc. or, in a very basic way, simply by ADDING VARIETY to your training with novel exercises.

So, this might see kind of obvious when you read what I wrote above, but it seems like when someone asks, "Why?" (not trying to pick on you RB - that's kind of a funky exercise at first look) in the very basic general sense as far as using a new exercise, especially one that's basic in terms of being a compound movement that lends itself to heavy progressive overloading, the I think it's worth it to revisit the idea that it's just damn nice to have another basic core kind of lift in the tool box.

Now, if I were lying on my back doing inverted cross-cable rows with a 100lb dumbbell on my chest, I might think, "WTF?..." but I hope that those who try this exercise like it as much as I do.

(Major drawback is simply that most smith machines are not 100% vertical, which sucks in my opinion anyway, although I'm kind of used it now after using them for a couple decades... )

-S

LOL...I was just thinking "why not have one foot on a 45lb. plate and pull in the same line as the machine?" But then again that'll probably blow out a disc or something.

Ooooh...or hopefully the machine isn't bolted down and I can use shims to make it vertical...and then have management cancel my membership.

[homonunculus]

LOL...I was just thinking "why not have one foot on a 45lb. plate and pull in the same line as the machine?" But then again that'll probably blow out a disc or something.

Ooooh...or hopefully the machine isn't bolted down and I can use shims to make it vertical...and then have management cancel my membership.

LOL - I like the idea of propping the entire machine up on one end. Make sure to leave the plates all on the floor after you've unloaded the machine so you could prop it up...

It's not really that bad to be honest. (I was surprised actually.)

-S

[thedunhill225]

Homon, on a more serious note...do you own shorts that are NOT "hot pants"?

[homonunculus]

Homon, on a more serious note...do you own shorts that are NOT "hot pants"?

No, I do not. I wear hot pants, hot skinz, hottie-to-trottie pantsie-wantsies and just plain old Daisy Dukes all year long, regardless of weather or occasion.

(Thanks for your input.)

-S

[dougisbig]

Homon,

Thanks for sharing-looks like a great exercise to add to the arsenal. Have you played around with 1 arm rows (similar to a db row) with the Smith ? Last week a guy was giving it a whirl in my gym so the idea has been in my head but I haven't had a chance to give it a shot yet.

[Jared Ragsdale]

Homon, on a more serious note...do you own shorts that are NOT "hot pants"?

Kind of like the fat chick bitching about the hot one, eh?

[homonunculus]

Homon,

Thanks for sharing-looks like a great exercise to add to the arsenal. Have you played around with 1 arm rows (similar to a db row) with the Smith ? Last week a guy was giving it a whirl in my gym so the idea has been in my head but I haven't had a chance to give it a shot yet.

I've dine those at home on my ironmaster a few times - I like 'em. It's been a while, but I found that I really had to find the right stane to feel comfortable and not like I was going to pull myself over sideways.

Kind of like the fat chick bitching about the hot one, eh?

Lol. (Rminded me of that Planet Fitness commercial. ."Sooooo hotttt...".

-S