Its always unfortunate to see great movements fade out over time. The Dante row has suffered this fate. Brough to you by John, The Mountain Dog, Meadows one of the premier bodybuilding minds of the decade.
The Dante Row:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr6-OKbCqu4]
Three reasons I really like the Dante Row:
1. The bent over position you are rowing from and the direction of the weights eccentrically pulls the scapulas into posterior tilt, allowing them to sit properly on the ribs. This is incredibly important to not just your lat development but shoulder health as well
2. The staggered stance Jon demonstrates allows you to create a lengthened neutral spine. Obviously this is important for protecting your lumbar but this is what allows you to get the stretch and contraction your looking for
3. The hammer strength machine Jon is using provides mechanical advantage for the lifter to utilize in order to stretch the thoraco-lumbar fascia encasing the lat.
Cueing:
"My friend Jason Brush told me about these via Dante Trudel owner of Trueprotein.com. Great movement. Stagger your feet a little for balance. I like to pause and flex at the top of the movement. Drive your elbows up as hard as you can, don't pull with your arms." -John Meadows
1. Stagger your stance and grip the lower handles
2. Brace your core 360 degrees and don't loose it throughout the lift. Wearing a belt does help facilitate this.
3. As Jon says, its all about the elbows. Drive them to the ceiling and squeeze at the top.
If your feeling adventurous hold the contracted position for 1s and lower the weights with control before you begin the next contraction cycle.
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