smith machine for rows?

[Pharmacist]

does anyone use the smith machine for bent rows or back thickness excercises of any sort?

[USMuscle9403]

Yep, you can use it.

[lionel]

Dorian yates used an underhand grip when he did rows.. where does that place stress on as compared to the overhand grip? Will the biceps be doing too much work with an underhand grip too?

[USMuscle9403]

THe underhand grip will bring the biceps more into play.

[lionel]

Then why in the world does he do that? I know it will bring the biceps in.. but will it be too much that it overpowers the back?

[USMuscle9403]

no no no, your back will still be getting plenty of work. Just about everyone else as well as myself prefers the overhand grip, though. Remember also, that is how Yates tore his left biceps.

[Conan21]

reverse grip rows really hit the lower outer parts of lats. Front grip hit more of the inner.

It would be benefitial to switch between both.

Back is definately one musle group that needs somewhat of a variety of exercises. Theres alot of different muscles back there.

[The Munster]

I love the smith for bent over rows. I mostly use overhand grip also.

[Conan21]

also like everyone else said.

I like them for overhand rows. Just cant seem to get the right angle on them for reverse grip so i do these free weights

[In-Human]

Conan21, I think that using the Smythe you will need to do them overhand just because of the way the bar travels, BB Bent Rows you have more room for the way the BB travels...

[Shawn "Future" Bellon]

I personally don't like rows on the Smith Machine. It's too easy to use your body to lean back and pull the weight up. I have seen guys do shrugs and uprgihts with it as well...I wouldn't. Too easy to cheat.

[1369phil]

Originally posted by Conan21
reverse grip rows really hit the lower outer parts of lats. Front grip hit more of the inner.

It would be benefitial to switch between both.

Back is definately one musle group that needs somewhat of a variety of exercises. Theres alot of different muscles back there.

I'm sorry, but changing from a pronated to a supinated does nothing to the back muscles - the only muscles that change are the arms (upper and lower) - all this "works the lower lats" stuff is a fantasy - a muscle is a muscle and will contract or not - the feeling of upper or lower muscle work is due to the exercise pulling or stresing an insertion.

Pronated does put the biceps in a stronger position, but will expose it to a hell of a lot of strain (on the insertion) with heavy row type poundages (hence Dorian's tear)

[Trulyhuge]

The smith machine at my gym is an Icarian one where it goes up in a slant. I find it very hard to do rows or such b/c of this. Anyone have any tips? Do your smith machines have this?

TH

[In-Human]

TH, Yes we have both at my gym, the straight and 7 degree Smythe, I tried it on both and it can be done on both, but of course I did prefer the straight one...

[rugbythug]

Originally posted by 1369phil
I'm sorry, but changing from a pronated to a supinated does nothing to the back muscles - the only muscles that change are the arms (upper and lower) - all this "works the lower lats" stuff is a fantasy - a muscle is a muscle and will contract or not - the feeling of upper or lower muscle work is due to the exercise pulling or stresing an insertion.

Pronated does put the biceps in a stronger position, but will expose it to a hell of a lot of strain (on the insertion) with heavy row type poundages (hence Dorian's tear)

Phil-If you change your grip that changes the angle at which your elbows come up. If your changing your elbow and angles of hands. You will undoubtedly place more stress on one back muscle or another. This is a human body not a simple pulley action.