It turns out that what I thought were bent-over barbell rows were more like almost-passable upright rows. He demonstrated the exercise and then nudged and pushed me into the right position while I did a couple reps. The minute he let go I almost fell over. It’s hard to hold yourself in that position! Needless to say I had to come down in the weight (again) but I could feel it in all the right places.

Alwyn Cosgrove‘s workouts (from New Rules of Lifting for Men) include periodic cycles: 3 weeks on the weights, 1 week off. I think it would be worthwhile to get some training at the outset of each 3-week run of weight training. I don’t feel bad about 3 weeks worth of upright rows, but it would have been nice if I hadn’t done double-duty on my shoulders.

Now, should I go through my Fitbook and cross out bent-over row and scribble upright row over the top?