Adding Inverted Rows to Starting Strength

Bigger Stronger Leaner Beginners
1

Hello, I’m in my fourth week of starting strength. Up until now I have been alternating deadlifts with barbell rows. I’ve chosen barbell rows because powercleans are not practical in my gym, and I can’t do a single chin-up or pull-up (yet).

However, I’m not making much progress on barbell rows. So I’ve been thinking about either alternating deadlifts with inverted rows (3 x max). Or adding inverted rows as an assistance exercise.

I’m making progress on all my other lifts, except bb row. I’d really just like to get to the point where I can alternate deadlifts with chin-ups/pull-ups.

I’m not sure what I’m looking for other than validation/approval? What do you guys think? Is this a decent course of action?

Thanks.

2

if you want to do pullups then do them.

if you can’t do a pullup then get a step and do the negative only. negatives are still alot of work and you WILL gain doing negatives. i use negatives pretty much every time i do pullups and can’t get the last 2 or 3 reps i still do them but negative only. EVRYONE can do a negative and you can make them as hard or as easy as you want by manipulating how long it takes but i would consider a 4 second negative to be a good rep starting point.

3

Sounds like a plan. How many sets would be appropriate? Do 3 sets to max?

4

dumbell rows always worked better for me. Don’t give up a rowing before you give dumbells a few weeks try.

5

Cool, on the non-deadlift day I’ll try out dumbell rowing and pull-up negatives.

6

Does your gym not have cables? Lots of variety of grips can strengthen your back and arms.

Probably lose some weight. I can’t imagine anybody within 20% of an ideal weight not being able to do one pull up.

7

[quote]oneils wrote:
Up until now I have been alternating deadlifts with barbell rows.[/quote]
Why? You’ve been shortchanging yourself on the deadlifts which, compared to rows, are much more important and effective.

How so? If there’s a barbell available for rowing, that means there’s a barbell available for cleans and it doesn’t require any more room to perform. Unless it’s a stupid gym rule, cleans win out over rows.

Like zephead mentioned, I’d consider 2-arm dumbbell rows before inverted rows. It’ll be easier to progress with the weight, compared to inverted pull-ups.

I’d also try learning chin-ups or neutral-grip chins before pull-ups. You’re more likely to be able to perform them and over time, you can progress to pull-ups.