body rows with a towel

[rob w]

So I have decided to cease all chinups and pullups for a while due to a sore shoulder, I can do pushups without any pain but not chins or pullups. I do all different types of pushups but I did not want to neglect pulling movements. I do not have a place to do body rows with a bar in my house. Today I wrapped a towel around a beam in my basement, grabbed the 2 ends leaned back and did some body rows and curl ups, I was quite surprised how affective this was. I go a great back and bicep workout.

[gruntbrain]

Thick rope also works well. Optionally tie some knots for grip support cuz you'll likely find that your grip gives out before your target muscles

[Tony]

I've used towel exercises for a couple of years now. For leg presses, quadricep pulls, overhead pulls, chest pulls. I find it to be a very effective form of exercise. It's uses are limited only by imagination.

Cheers, Tony

[stingray]

I can visualize using the towel for the leg press, but how about the overhead press? Are you using the other arm to hold the towel?

[Big Bear]

Hi Rob,

Towel rows are very effective! They are used by grapplers and other martial artists for wrist and forearm strength. A good steady diet of these is excellant and also helps to mix things up occasionaly.

peace,
jason

[MikeNY]

College Wrestlers use alternative upright rowing, you bend at the waist 30 degrees forward, let your arms hang down straight from your shoulders. Lift your right elbow as high as possible as you pretend to start a lawn mower, then the left elbow. This is a DVR/VRT Tension type exercise that has been around forever.

Towels work great for a Hamstring stretch, lay on the floor, lift your legs, use towel to stretch the hamstring gently. Triceps stretch with towel, hold towel behind back, right hand above shoulder, grasp towel in left hand behind back and pull to stretch your triceps and lats. Chest and Shoulder stretch with towel behind back, bend toward and stretch chest and shoulders. Hold all stretchs 15 to 30 second.

Good thread guys.

[gruntbrain]

Martial arts belts also work well & since they're longer than towels you have more exercise options

[Hank_Z]

Here's an eBook with over 50 exercises to perform with a regular towel. http://www.gymtowelworkout.com/

I haven't tried it. Only recently saw the thread about using a towel for exercises.

It's $9.95 and has an 8-week money-back guarantee.

- Hank

[GB]

Towel exercises are great. Here are a few links showing some of the exercises and stretches that can be done with a towel:

http://www.thedietchannel.com/Stretching-Exercises-Stretches-Anyone-Can-Do-With-A-Towel.htm

http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/7238_towel-exercises-stretches.htm

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/exercises.asp?exercise=129




GB

[Tony]

I can visualize using the towel for the leg press, but how about the overhead press? Are you using the other arm to hold the towel?

Yes, I am. I grab the towel with each hand, bring the towel over my head & pull the towel in opposite directions. Hold for a count of 10.

Cheers,
Tony

[Hank_Z]

Thick rope also works well. Optionally tie some knots for grip support cuz you'll likely find that your grip gives out before your target muscles

Gruntbrain,

Good idea. About how thick of rope to you suggest? I weigh about 230, if that is relevant.

- Phil

[gruntbrain]

Most folks will probably find that 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" dia. rope is ideal. Note the adjustable belt in JP's Isokit allows for the performance of the aforementioned isotonics.

Note no matter what tool is used, a training partner can "make things interesting". Also anchoring your chosen tool to a secure object increases exercise options. Thonk Tug O War

[Hank_Z]

Most folks will probably find that 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" dia. rope is ideal. Note the adjustable belt in JP's Isokit allows for the performance of the aforementioned isotonics.


Thanks.:highfive: I didn't realize the isokit will have an adjustable belt that will enable the body rows and some other isotonics. I've searched the site to try to find out what's in the isokit, and the belt is the first specific thing I've read about..

There may be descriptions that I haven't found. I don't want to buy something if the isokit will do the trick.

If anyone can describe more of what will be in the isokit, I'd really appreciate it. :act-up:

- Hank

[gruntbrain]

I don't claim to know what will be in the Isokit that gets released; as a tester I have the original prototype

For now, I'd suggest getting the thick rope & don't worry about redundancy; alternatively, just go with a towel as originally suggested