We can always count on Arnold Schwarzenegger for some motivation, whether it’s in the form of vintage photos and videos or his current fitness regimen at 73 years old. Yesterday, his Monday motivation came in an Instagram post showcasing a classic move that’s still one of his favorites: T-bar rows.
Schwarzenegger still works with a good amount of weight, throwing a pair of plates plus a few pounds onto the landmine setup in what appears to be his home office.
“Old, but not obsolete,” he wrote in the caption. “T-bar rows are one of my favorite exercises.” Watch him get after it here:
The comments were flooded with people pumped to see the legendary bodybuilder lifting, and even the likes of Phil Heath and Larry Wheels were in the mix. But Schwarzenegger’s son Patrick noticed more than just the weights in the video.
“Nothing like crushing a gym session to Taylor Swift. Feel you pops,” Patrick commented, referring to the fact that Taylor Swift’s “…Ready For It?” played in the background of the video. That comment alone got tons of reactions, but his dad has yet to respond.
Soundtrack aside, the T-bar row should make an appearance in your routine if you’re looking to build a thicker back. It primarily works the middle back, rear delts, and traps, and it couldn’t be simpler to execute.
First, either place a barbell into a landmine station (if available) or position it firmly into a corner. Add the desired number of plates to the outward facing side of the barbell.
Stand over the middle of the bar, slightly bending the knees and maintaining a neutral spine (the starting position may be similar to the setup for a deadlift).
Grab a seated row attachment (or your row handle of choice) and place it underneath the bar against the side with the plates. If one is not available, you can simply grab the bar itself.
Maintaining a tight core and neutral spine, begin rowing the bar up to the middle portion of your abdomen. Make sure to retract the scapula prior to beginning the movement and focus on engaging the lats, eliminating biceps activation.
Now, get to rowing to build a back you’ll want to show off.
