Row with close grip seated on a machine

Start the pull by driving the elbows in the direction required by the exercise and let the shoulder blades move naturally. Return slowly without suddenly releasing the tension. Keep the same range from repetition to repetition instead of speeding up as you fatigue. Breathe continuously and end the set before technique starts to break down.

Choose a resistance that lets you preserve technique from start to finish. You should feel most of the work in abdominals, biceps, middle and lower trapezius and lats; if you feel sharp pain, joint pinching or a clear loss of control, reduce the load or range and stop if symptoms persist. Set the seat, backrest and machine axis before loading it; poor setup changes the path and often creates compensations.