Which would you guys say is the better exercise? And if doing both which would you guys say would be better to do first?

No such thing as a better exercise. Eventually you are going to stall out on one of those lifts and you are going to have to change something to keep on improving. It could be rep scheme, grip variation, or substituting the lift completely. Row's and chins are in the "staple" book. They are awesome for growth.

For me rows feel very unnatural but unlike chins loading is a lot easier. It's easier to add 5lbs or 1 rep to a row then a chin up so you will have a more linear and progressive results for strength. However for me chin ups has added more width to my back and biceps then rows had (but that could be because I almost never row)

You could possibly do rows on a bench day and chin ups on a dead lift day. Switch em up in 4-6 weeks or change the variation.

Bent-over barbell rows target the mid-back and the lats mostly (secondary - biceps, rear shoulders, lower back, traps).

Overhand wide-grip chin-ups target the lats primarily (secondary - biceps, shoulders).

In my opinion, both should be part of your routine. I do both.

Since they are both targeting your back, depending on your workout split, I would recommend doing them both on "back day".

For example, my routine on that day consists of (part):

- Deadlifts
- Wide-grip overhand chin-ups
- Bent-over barbell rows

Generally, I think that chin-ups are best to do first, but I have also heard that the rows can come first and it is not an issue.

As long as you do your dead lift first so that you have your maximum strength available for that lift.

Do both!

Start with weighted pullup since lats gas out faster than mid-back

then continue to bent over rows



dont forget the Deadlifts

I deadlift(pyramid up to heavy set of 5) every other week on my leg day(mondays) right after squat. on deadlift week i do intermediate weight on my squat. yes im getting stronger doing this so it works for me.

Thanks escobar. I'll be doing both starting with weighted chin-ups, followed by bent over rows. Tried the rows first last week and it made the chin-ups almost too hard to complete.

runner83 said:

Bent-over barbell rows target the mid-back and the lats mostly (secondary - biceps, rear shoulders, lower back, traps).

Overhand wide-grip chin-ups target the lats primarily (secondary - biceps, shoulders).

In my opinion, both should be part of your routine. I do both.

Click to expand...

Agreed - although in the UK we call an 'overhand wide-grip chin-up' a pull-up.

OP - If you're finding it difficult, I' drop the chin-up first. You'll probably be doing other exercises (upright-row and military press?) which will work these areas. But you should look at incorporating both when you can.

runner83 said:

Bent-over barbell rows target the mid-back and the lats mostly (secondary - biceps, rear shoulders, lower back, traps).

Overhand wide-grip chin-ups target the lats primarily (secondary - biceps, shoulders).

In my opinion, both should be part of your routine. I do both.

Since they are both targeting your back, depending on your workout split, I would recommend doing them both on "back day".

For example, my routine on that day consists of (part):

- Deadlifts
- Wide-grip overhand chin-ups
- Bent-over barbell rows

Generally, I think that chin-ups are best to do first, but I have also heard that the rows can come first and it is not an issue.

As long as you do your dead lift first so that you have your maximum strength available for that lift.

Click to expand...

THIS! Spot on perfect advice. Yes you do need to change up your routine every 4-6 weeks, but don't take out staple exercises like the bent over barbell row. Changing a routine can be something as simple as adding in some super sets, changing rep scheme, volume of training etc.

Lastly, if your goal is lat development, as runner outlined, barbell rows are the best....






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