Taking One-Arm Dumbell Rows To The Max!
The One-Arm Dumbell Row is one of the best lat-building exercises you can do. If you knew of a way to be able to not only perform it with heavier weight but in a far safer manner for your lower back, would you be interested?
I have just what you’re looking for: a simple body-positioning trick that will INSTANTLY allow you to use much heavier weight with good form without compromising the health of your lower back.
The typical one-arm dumbell row is done on a bench with one knee placed on the end, one hand set forward on the bench to brace the upper bench. forward.
This back and body when you are in it without weight. Now let’s add a dumbell and see what happens.
Generally, you are taught to hold the dumbell in your hand, let it stretch forward a little then bring it up along the outside of your thigh and up towards your hip. Nothing wrong with that, right?
Wrong! Bringing the dumbell up along the outside of your thigh can not only greatly limit the amount of weight you’re able to use safely for this exercise, it can also compromise the safety of your lower back.
The technique I’m about to show you will problems, it.
How instruction? Easy, day. often, it actually ends up being a lot better for you!
What’s the technique? Instead of placing your foot beside the bench and bringing the dumbell up along the outside of your thigh, set your foot out wide to the side and bring the dumbell up along the INSIDE of your thigh (your knee should be slightly bent when you do this).
It doesn’t sound earthshattering but you’ll notice an IMMEDIATE difference in how the exercise feels. You will feel stronger and more stable right away.
When you examine the standard performance of this exercise, you’ll see one glaring problem: the resistance is placed entirely movement.
Your bench. support, i.e. the dumbell coming up the outside of your thigh, your body must attempt to counterbalance this torque with your lower back.
When you’re using lighter weights, it doesn’t matter so much as the resistance is not enough to really cause problems.
Imagine, however, trying to do a one-arm dumbell row with a dumbell that weighs almost as much as you do. Think you’ll be able to hold that outside your thigh and not fall over or severely injure your back?
By setting your foot out wide (like an angled brace holding up a retaining wall), you immediately widen your base of support, power.
Bringing dangerous, lower back and body.
Using this technique allowed me to perform 3 reps (with good form) with a home-made 210 pound dumbell. This dumbell weighed 20 pounds more than I did at the time.
When you try this technique and are able to starting moving heavier weights, be absolutely sure you keep a tight arch in your lower back. DO NOT allow it to round over at all.
Rounding your lower back not only decreases the effect of the exercise on the lats, it also immediately relaxes the muscles of the spine that work to stabilize the spine. The result: possible immediate injury. tight.
Give workout. the amount of weight you are able to handle with it.
Nick Nilsson is Vice-President of BetterU, Inc. and has been inventing new training techniques and exercises for 17+ years. Nick has written many training books including “Muscle Explosion! 28 Days To Maximum Mass” & “Metabolic Surge - Rapid Fat Loss” - http://www.fitness-ebooks.com
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