Question on weight for row exercise (dumbell or machine)

Lauramh31

I have had this quesiton for a long time and now here is a place to ask it - when I do a dumbell row or even when I use the machine at the gym I just don't feel it in my back muscles like I do when I work my other muscles. For example, when I do bicep curls my biceps feel like they're working hard and they get tired and burn but when I do the row it never feels that way and if I keep adding weight, eventually it's just too hard. Soooo, my quesiton is - are there common form things people do wrong such that maybe I'm engaging other muscles to help w/o realizing it and that's why I can't really fatigue my back muscles doing the row? I feel like I have proper form, so maybe the back muscles just don't burn and tire out like other smaller muscles?

Thanks

ValerieMomof2

Are you feeling it in your arms or shoulders? The most common thing I see people do with a row is to use their arms. Make sure you are squeezing your shoulder blades together first and then bringing your arms towards your chest. Hope that makes sense. Also, the back muscles are very strong so make sure you are actually doing a weight that is challenging them

ChrisLindsay9

Are you feeling it in your arms or shoulders? The most common thing I see people do with a row is to use their arms. Make sure you are squeezing your shoulder blades together first and then bringing your arms towards your chest. Hope that makes sense. Also, the back muscles are very strong so make sure you are actually doing a weight that is challenging them

This.

You may want to videorecord your form (or have an experienced lifter watch you). I see a lot of people bringing up their shoulder and arm (typically doing heavier weight than they should). Try to visualize your hand as a hook, and the lat muscle is doing the work in bringing up the weight. That should help you get that shoulder blade squeeze early in the movement.