DB Rows v. Lat Pulldowns... FIGHT!

Lol... if you could only choose one, which would it be?

Bent-Over DB Rows, or the Lat Pulldown?

Replies

  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    *bump*
  • 34blast
    34blast Posts: 166 Member
    I suggest pull ups and chin ups is better than both and free weights superior to any machine

    Starting Strength to me is the best strength training program. For assistance exercises it recommends pull ups and chin ups as better than both.

    Most body building routines recommend both rows and pull downs as they hit the muscles differently.

    While cutting, I am doing the A and B programs with rowing instead of cleans
    A - Squat, flat bench, dead lift, assistance work if time(curls, pull ups, chin ups)
    B - Squat, overhead press, bent over rows, ,assistance work if time
    So Monday is A, Thursday is B, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday is cardio
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I'd go with the Rows (though would prefer Barbell rows or pull-ups)
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I do barbell rows and almost-pullups/chinups. But not making claims at the superiority of that over anything else - it's just where I happened to end up.
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  • bigalfantasy2004
    bigalfantasy2004 Posts: 176 Member
    Rows
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Barbell rows are great, but I can't do them horizontally without hitching or eventually getting more upright. Bent over DB rows are very consistent and solid. My lower back gets hit enough with all the squat and deadlifts lol


    So... nobody for the Lat pulldown huh?
  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I guess it depends on whether or not I am currently having lower back issues, for whatever reason. I love rows, but when my lower back is compromised (like last year after being in a car wreck) lat pulldowns did the trick until I was healed.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    rows...

    i'm not much into lat pulls...i prefer pullups (even though I have to do them assisted currently)
  • tonynguyen75
    tonynguyen75 Posts: 418 Member
    They work different parts of the back?

    Lat pull downs for for your lats while rows are for the lower trapezius?
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    Well if I absolutely had to pick one, it would be the DB rows.

    Although in my routine I prefer to do chin-ups and Pendlay rows, and sometimes pull-ups as well.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Don't they work different muscles? Or am I just doing it wrong?

    lat pull downs... they target my lats which is important to me as a triathlete/swimmer.

    .
  • FrnkLft
    FrnkLft Posts: 1,821 Member
    Well yes, lat pulldowns directly target the Lats, while rows target the lower back, and the lats are synergistic in the movement.
  • tonynguyen75
    tonynguyen75 Posts: 418 Member
    Well then I pick Lat pulldowns, because chicks love the wings.
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    lat pulldowns


    wide back gets hoes in the sack
  • JNick77
    JNick77 Posts: 3,783 Member
    Neither. If I could choose only ONE upper back exercise it would be pull-ups.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Well yes, lat pulldowns directly target the Lats, while rows target the lower back, and the lats are synergistic in the movement.

    What. The way I do rows the lower back is just used to support your body, like your abs during deadlifts. I pull back at the shoulderblade. I find it targets the lats way more than the lower back, though the main area would be more of the middle of the back, lat pull downs do target the lats more directly yes.
  • phatguerilla
    phatguerilla Posts: 188 Member
    If I could only choose one, rows all day ery day. For those who think its only for one muscle, with a simple change in your arm angle you can target rear delts and upper back, traps and rhomboids and/or lats.
  • JamieM8168
    JamieM8168 Posts: 248 Member
    Rows
  • arghbowl
    arghbowl Posts: 1,179 Member
    lat pulldowns


    wide back gets hoes in the sack

    amen brah
  • PJ64
    PJ64 Posts: 866 Member
    Recently started using the Hammer Strength Row LOVE IT!!!
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    If i had to choose between the two.... DB Rows. Weighted Chins trump both though.
  • mikemc620
    mikemc620 Posts: 129 Member
    To me this question is like asking would you rather bench or do presses. I do rows when I bench and pull/chin-ups when I press. Couldn't go without any of them.

    I guess if I only got to choose 1 I would pick rows because you can move your arm and body angle to target more of your back.
  • baptiste565
    baptiste565 Posts: 590 Member
    row if u want 2 grow
  • captndalton
    captndalton Posts: 53 Member
    Rows
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    lat pulldowns


    wide back gets hoes in the sack

    amen brah

    don't know hey .

    2 completely different exercises

    Rows for the hoes
  • arghbowl
    arghbowl Posts: 1,179 Member
    lat pulldowns


    wide back gets hoes in the sack

    amen brah

    don't know hey .

    2 completely different exercises

    Rows for the hoes

    personally i'll always opt for rows. but the truth of wide back gets hoes in the sack cannot be ignored.
  • dealwis79
    dealwis79 Posts: 3 Member
    Barbell rows all the way (as previously commented) correct technique is v.important, as many people tend to cheat the exercise and not target the right areas, this coupled with progressive lifting and diet can get some insane results :)
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member

    the truth of wide back gets hoes in the sack cannot be ignored.


    lmao