Hardest Back Exercise...Pullups?Deadlift?Barbell Row? Dumbbell Rows?

[Neptune100]

For me, its heavy dumbbell rows for 4-5 sets of 8-12 reps.  Always leaves me the most exhausted and out of breath, maybe because its more aerobic than anaerobic in nature, since you have to switch arms half way through and a set can take upwards of a minute.  Deadlifts are second, always tough but overall more enjoyable. 

[DanM]

I would say purely from an effort point of view, you would have to go with deadlifts. Weighted chins are also pretty difficult if you do them in a strict fashion.

[BigRo]

there all hard depending on how there done. I find seated cable rows to be exceedingly painful when done with a drop set.

[Henda]

I find deadlifts for higher reps to be the hardest, never been good at reps far prefer low rep sets on almost everything.

[tuna999]

Heavy barbell rows for me hate doing them but love it at the same time

[_aj_]

I did a 25 set/5 exercise back workout and after each set, immediately did a set of yates rows with 135. At first, the weight seemed fine, but after the 25th set, it really was getting heavy.

But just alone, I would have to go with the DL. I am almost always out of breath after a 10 rep set.

[Thong Maniac]

I did a 25 set/5 exercise back workout and after each set, immediately did a set of yates rows with 135. At first, the weight seemed fine, but after the 25th set, it really was getting heavy.

But just alone, I would have to go with the DL. I am almost always out of breath after a 10 rep set.

ThT sounds like over training but i guess if eating alot and on gear its fine

[oldtimer1]

It will always be pull ups for me. If you dead hang and truly go all the way up till your elbows go as far down as they can it's absolutely a brutal exercise.

[MORTALCOIL]

SLDL first. Just because you have to stay fully focused. Posture can't be so-so. So your full body is under stress. Weighted chins can be really painful but I feel much more confortable doing them.

[SuperTed]

I find deadlifts for higher reps to be the hardest, never been good at reps far prefer low rep sets on almost everything.

X2

Deadlifts can be punishing. The others feel almost therapeutic in comparison.

[Mr Anabolic]

X2

Deadlifts can be punishing. The others feel almost therapeutic in comparison.

Exactly.  It's like comparing squats to the leg press.

[The True Adonis]

They are all pretty easy, even when going heavy.  I guess if you incorporated it with some sort of balancing act you could make them all difficult, however you would just look foolish and most likely land yourself in a hospital.

[Pet shop boys]

Barbell rows;  if done CORRECTLY .

Nothing takes more effort.



WoooSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH  BE YE KE

[ritch]

pullups.

My left shoulder, forearm won't even allow me to do them. Even when I could to them, my best would have been a 25lbs plate added to my 200ish body weight at the time for 8ish reps.

But those were real reps, full range, slow 3-4 second eccentric as I do on everything....

So now the only "pullups" I do is when I "pull up" my pants after doing your mom.... Ha!

[SF1900]

In order of hardest:

Wide grip pullups
Deadlifts
Barbell rows
dumbbell rows
tbar rows

[Mr Anabolic]

In order of hardest:

Wide grip pullups
Deadlifts
Barbell rows
dumbbell rows
tbar rows

What does hardest mean?  If done properly, they are all hard to do.  There is a difference between discomfort and difficulty.  For me, chins, cable and dumbbell rows are the most comfortable and all the bent over back exercises are the most uncomfortable.  

[Donny]

Deadlifts for me ..

[chaos]

They are all pretty easy, even when going heavy.  I guess if you incorporated it with some sort of balancing act you could make them all difficult, however you would just look foolish and most likely land yourself in a hospital.

[SF1900]

What does hardest mean?  If done properly, they are all hard to do.  There is a difference between discomfort and difficulty.  For me, chins, cable and dumbbell rows are the most comfortable and all the bent over back exercises are the most uncomfortable.  

Ha, I asked myself the same question. I defined hardest in being able to complete multiple reps within a set. Thus, Id say my list still sticks. As for exhaustion, deadlifts would be first.

[Army of One]

Anyone else feel they get more stimulation/development doing cables rows over barbell row? but it feels much easier than doing a barbell row too

[The True Adonis]

How "hard" can it be?  There are millions of women and children worldwide doing these exercises and yet somehow its difficult for many on here?  

I am not capable of understanding this one bit.

[Coach is Back!]

How "hard" can it be?  There are millions of women and children worldwide doing these exercises and yet somehow its difficult for many on here?  

I am not capable of understanding this one bit.

Yes...we know.

[io856]

Yes...we know.

lol exactly

[The Italian Lifter]

For me, its heavy dumbbell rows for 4-5 sets of 8-12 reps.  Always leaves me the most exhausted and out of breath, maybe because its more aerobic than anaerobic in nature, since you have to switch arms half way through and a set can take upwards of a minute.  Deadlifts are second, always tough but overall more enjoyable. 

Heavy set of 20 reps deadlift for me. The closer I get to death.

[The True Adonis]

I'd hate to see what you guys would think of raking leaves if you think lifting weights is difficult.