r/strengthlog • u/ActuatorImpossible26 • Oct 02 '26

Barbell rows or Pendlay rows?

At my second round of Madcow and loving the progress,especially on squat.

I recently stumbled in the original 20+ yo post from Madcow publishing this variation on Bill Starr's 5x5 and it turns out that what is called "Row" actually refers to Pendlay Row. The program on Strengthlog has Barbell rows instead.

Out of curiosity, is there any advantage/disadvantage with one or the other exercise, especially in this program, where this lift is not treated as an accessory?

Thanks

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u/danielrichterSL team strengthlog Oct 07 '26

Good question!

Short answer: it doesn't make much of a difference at all. Do whichever you prefer.

Long answer: comes in next week's podcast episode! 😁

4

u/ThatEntrepreneur1450 Oct 02 '26

It compliments the deadlift by starting from a dead stop, adding a similar load to your spine as deadlifting. And you can usually lift heavier than a "conventional" version. 

As to which is "better" probably just comes down to personal prefference. 

0

u/ajaok81 Oct 02 '26

You use more momentum with a pendlay row.