Chest-Back Strength

Howdy folks.

This question is related to Mark’s post about Chest/Back Imbalance.

As some of you mentioned, Ian King teaches that we should balance our pulling and pushing movements, and I think it’s a great idea.

But what does balance mean? Should you be able to use as much weight with a bent-over row as with your bench?

I’d like to hear some real numbers. Currently, my bench is about 30% stronger than my bent-over row? How about yours?

Thanks for your time.

With strict form mine is ~40%. My limiting factor on bent-over rows is my lower back so I don’t feel like it’s the best measurement. IK seems to prefer cable rows. Anyone else have any ideas?

I am trying to match the Bench Press with the Hammer Seated Row. In both cases the torso is held in place by a bench.
I would be interested in hearing from the experts through.

If I may be so bold to speak for Ian, I think his focus on horizontal pushing and pulling is from an injury prevention standpoint. His thought is not neccessarly on acheiving a 1:1 on lifts, but acheiving a balance in volume. Scapular stabilization is key. Acheiving a big bench and having healthy shoulders requires scapula control. Heaving up a big row doesn’t mean you have scapular control. Ian’s control exercises would knock down many big rowers.