How Far Should You Lean Forward on Low Pulley Cable Rows?
Question:
Answer:
The best combination of safety and effectiveness with low cable rows (aka low pulley rows) comes when you allow the weight (cable) to pull your arms/upper-back forward just a tad while keeping your lower back vertical and rigid.
A SAFE starting position for low pulley rows
She may not look like a training expert, but she's doing this right!
The above pics demonstrate a safe starting position for both overhand and neutral-grip low pulley cable rows. You can lean/stretch forward a tad more than these people are, IF you can do so by pivoting at your hips while keep your lower back nice and straight. Always err on the side of safety…you can’t make progress if you’re injured!
Doing it the ‘old school’ Arnold way (as seen below) is good for stretching your lats, but it is NOT a safe motion – especially done repetively – for the intervertebral discs of the lower back.
NEVER round your lower back like this!
I hope that helps, Josh.
Yours in fitness,
Dr Clay
I’ve always done rear shoulder press until a personal trainer told me it causes injury to the rotator cuff. As soon as he mentioned it I started to feel stress in that area. I guess I got paranoid and started focusing more on the rotator cuff. Is there truth to this statement and if so what else can I do to target the rear delts?