Anyone ever do these, either with dumbbell or barbell? I have heard that they can cause shoulder problems from different sources, but I don’t know if these different sources are correct. All I have is dumbbells and barbell so they seem like a good rowing option. any ideas?
I have used this exercise with good results in the upper to mid back area, increase strenght and size. I ussually use about 135 Lbs on the bar for 5-6 sets of 6-8 reps. Start with arms extended and raise the bar to the nipple area and down again. I work this in with the deadlift.
Good Luck.
Driving a car also has the POTENTIAL to cause accidents, but most of us drive. Determine whether or not you have any existing shoulder injuries. If not, give 'em a go. Rememer that no exercise is totally without risk. You just have to weigh the potential costs against the benefits.
Same thing as high pulls. Use with caution. but use 'em.
Accidents and cars? Not exactly relevant. If you have a predisposition for shoulder problems that was unfortunately passed down by your parents then upright rows might cause you pain. I don’t do 'em. Try 'em out and see what happens.
Tergon, are you referring to bent over rows rather than upright rows?
T-mag has an old article regarding shoulder issues ans shrugs – basically saying that if you let your shoulders rotate forward, you’re risking some nerve impingement. I’d think that the same things would apply to high pulls and upright rows, though I may be totally off base.
Tell Ian King if you don’t like my analogy about cars. It came from an old article about people fearing movements for no reason.
I’ve got reasons and I race cars. Some cars have design flaws as well that require different strategies to get the job done.
What muscle groups do these hit the hardest? Traps, Lats, Shoulders?
This exercise effectively targets the rear delts (problem area for most that I’ve worked with) as well as the upper trap. muscles. MR’s comments about the predisposition are on the mark. Most people have no difficulty with it though.
P.S.~ For optimal rear delt. involvement: Keep the shoulders depressed while performing this one. If they fly up, you’ll hit the upper traps much more.
I believe that the combination of internal rotation and abduction of the shoulder make the standard barbell upright row a recipe for disaster in the long term for most people.
One way I find most people can avoid this is to use a wider grip and lift no further than til upper arms are parallel to the floor, which should be well before impingement occurs.
Even that doesn’t work for me though - I personally prefer a dumbbell variation where you keep your palms in a neutral position (facing your body) and curl the dumbells towards your armpits while abducting the shoulder - it’s pretty much the same movement as I see it, just less internal rotation.