The worst back exercise?

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Here’s what’s going on in the world today:

• Why the bent-over row is less useful than you think

• Powerlifter John Haack breaks a world record

• The best Amazon Prime Day fitness deals

• 3 exercises for amazing quads

Exercise Tips

Avoid BOR-ing Lats

While the likes of Dorian Yates may certainly disagree, modern science, as well as hypertrophy coach Joe Bennett, feels that focusing on the bent-over row is holding back the potential gains you should be making in your latissimus dorsi development.

Bennett says that, according to the data, working in a long, stretched position drives muscle growth for your lats. The heavily loaded barbell row has a difficult time achieving this because the strain is placed on the entire posterior chain. 

Now, this doesn’t mean the bent-over row is a horrible exercise in general — it’s just no good if you really want to build your lats in particular. If getting a wide mid-back is important to you (and why wouldn’t it be?), we’re offering up an alternative exercise in the article below.

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Powerlifting

Record for a Haack squat

John Haack has been a powerhouse in the world of raw powerlifting for a significant part of the sport’s rapid ascension. With his ripped physique and flamboyant, almost wrestler-esque costuming, he has helped redefine the image of the sport for new fans.

It is then, perhaps, not entirely surprising that he walked away with a world-record squat of 806 pounds when he showed up at the Power Surge Pro-Am meet in Chicago on September 28. The record sets the all-time mark for a raw squat in sleeves, and he achieved 665.75 DOTS for the meet, the highest score for a raw male powerlifter.

(Note: DOTS is a relative scoring system that compares strength performance based on gender and body weight.)

Haack’s meet wasn’t all wine and roses, however. A busted callus derailed his plans, but walking away with a coveted all-time world record still left a fine, perfumed mist over the event.

Check out Haack’s meet in its entirety, and don’t miss his record squat.

Deals

Prime Time

For all the toxicity that flows freely through the Internet, Amazon Prime Day is a powerful unifying force. Whether you’re looking for cat toys, televisions, or an espresso machine, millions of people log on to their devices in search of a deal. And since you subscribe to The BarBend Newsletter, you’ll probably want to know what the e-commerce giant has in store for the fitness world.

In the article below, we’ve curated a list of sales for the best dumbbells, cardio machines, protein powders, gym headphones, and more. Click the link to save big!

Workouts

Trois for Quads

Having big quads is a prerequisite for bodybuilder Wesley Vissers. For this rising Classic Physique competitor, having beefed up, nearly swept leg muscles is essential for the look needed at the Olympia this weekend.

To craft the wheels of a champion, Vissers relies primarily on these three exercises he has gallantly offered to share with you today. 

While you may never stand next to Vissers, oiled up under a series of bright lights, you can still build impressive wheels with his strategies. The days of ignoring leg day left with MySpace and flip phones; in the modern world of gym culture, the lower body holds a special kind of primacy. Build some beefy quads the Vissers way and rock those in-fashion shorty shorts all year long.

Everything Else

A Sharpe-Looking Man

•  Shannon Sharpe, the former tight end known more in recent years for hot takes rather than hot routes, displayed his still-impressive physique during a recent chest and triceps workout.

• While it may be true that even early risers may avoid the good morning more often than they should, there is no debating how powerful a posterior chain builder the intense exercise can be.

• Thorne Creatine has a short and (un)sweet ingredient list that can lead to maximum gains. Check out our review for more.