Quick Adjustment For More Takedowns

A picture of Ronnie Coleman performing a cable row.

Improving your upper body pulling strength is crucial if you want to maximize your potential as a wrestler.

Specifically, horizontal pulling strength is what’s needed most to finish takedowns, body locks, and apply tight rides on top.

Because I’ve written about it time and again, I won’t rehash any of it today.

Instead, I’d like to discuss a classic exercise that I’ve been using more and more in the programs I design for wrestlers.

Although the bodyweight row progression has been a mainstay in my programs for quite some time now, I’ve typically alternated it with 3 other rowing variations- the chest supported row, the dumbbell row, and today’s featured exercise, the cable row.

What has me liking the Cable Row more and more lately?

First, let me tell you why I’m drifting away from the chest supported row.

I get two common complaints with this piece of equipment. The first is that it’s too hard to position yourself in order to get a good pull toward your chest. This is primarily because the machine works in somewhat of a fixed path.

The second is that most of the guys I talk to feel their lats working a lot more during the cable row when compared to the chest supported row.

I know we’re not bodybuilders here, but getting good activation in the muscle(s) you’re trying to strengthen is still an important factor. It’s like performing a core exercise and not feeling it in your abs. Some kind of adjustment should to be made.

As far as the dumbbell row goes, I’m still a fan of it. However, I feel like it needs constant coaching to ensure the lats are actually working and that momentum isn’t taking over. I covered this idea in this post.

So, by process of elimination, we’re left with the cable row.

Why the cable row?

For the exact opposite reasons I detailed above.

The feedback I’ve gotten about this includes increased activation and a better ability to control the line of pull.

Additionally, I’ve added a tweak to this exercise to make it a little more wrestler-specific.

Cable Row + Hold

I actually got this idea from a research review I read a few months ago.

Here’s a quick conclusion from it regarding muscle activation:

“Additionally, the seated row while recruiting the latissimus dorsi and biceps brachii more or equally effectively as the lat pulldown also recruits the middle trapezius/rhomboid muscle group to a greater extent.”

Study Referenced

Ylinen, J., M. Julin, A. Rezasoltani, H. Virtapohja, H. Kautiainen, T. Karila, E. Malkia. Variations in muscle activation levels during traditional latissimus dorsi weight training exercises: An experimental study. Dynamic Medicine. 3:4, 2004.

 

And here are 2 additional conclusions on the same research paper from biomechanics genius, Chris Beardsley:

He states that when you perform seated rows, it’s important to make sure you perform scapular retraction (pulling shoulder blades together toward spine). This has been shown in research to improve muscle activity. Additionally, he suggests that it’s likely helpful in improving overall shoulder health by increasing range of motion.

“Whether you use chins or pull-ups is likely not going to make or break your training routine, so you should probably go with what you prefer or mix it up to prevent things getting stale. If pushed, the chin is probably slightly better because more weight can be used.”

…I know this post isn’t about chinups, but I wanted to throw in some of the conclusions above because they’re relevant to strength training for wrestling.

And here’s a nice graph Chris created that does a great job summarizing the results of the study:

A vertical bar graph with blue bars showing the EMG activity of various lat exercises including a row with a hold while using scapular retraction.

As you can see, the muscle activation in the seated row with retraction is highest.

In addition to the benefits above, the other thing I like about this study is that it measured muscle activity during a 10-second hold. While I don’t think a 10-second hold is necessary, I do like adding a hold for wrestlers because it improves their static strength.

Importance of Static Strength

Because of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of a wrestling match, a variety of athletic qualities and strengths are needed. One of these is static strength.

Static strength is seen all the time during leg attacks when you first get in on a shot but don’t immediately finish. It’s what helps you to hold on as you work on finishing the takedown.

On the opposite side of the coin, it’s a breakdown in this quality that leads to you losing the takedown after getting in on a deep shot.

Your ability to maintain a hold primarily comes down to your overall strength. Think about it- do you think someone who rows 300 pounds for 5 reps can hold on to a leg a little longer than someone who rows 100 pounds for 5 reps?

Obviously, including elements that build functional strength for wrestling is important.

In fact, here are a few relevant conclusions from a paper entitled Special Considerations for Designing Wrestling-Specific Resistance-Training Programs:

Isometric muscle action is of great importance in wrestling, and should therefore be emphasized in a wrestling strength training program.

Besides the need for isometric grip strength when looking to hold onto an opponent, nearly every position in wrestling can have a static component to it.

“Isometric training can be undertaken with simple partner exercises and manual resistance along with the previously mentioned rope and towel work. Partner exercises are also desirable, because they develop competitive attitude and specifically prepare the wrestler for the actual activation with nearly complete carryover to the sport.”

Finally, in regards to how long isometric contractions should be held, the authors suggest that this should be individually specific based on individual needs and what time of the year it is. For example, over the summer when the wrestler isn’t competing this isn’t as important as a couple months before the end of the season tournaments.

Paper Referenced

Z. Murlasits. Special considerations for designing wrestling-specific resistance-training programs. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 26(3), 46-50. June 2004.

Paper 2 on Static Strength

Here are some additional points made in a paper authored by top sports scientist, William Kraemer:

He states that specific isometric exercises designed to increase both grip and upper body strength need to be included in a lifting program for wrestlers.

In general, he states that sports scientists and strength coaches use isometric holds for between 3-10 seconds per rep.

Another thing to keep in mind when implementing isometric training is the angle of the joint(s) when the hold occurs. Research on isometric training has demonstrated that the adaptations are angle-specific. This means that strength will only be improved in the positions that you hold the isometric contraction.

Because it would be impossible to train every joint angle, careful selection is needed to maximize the carryover of the program to the mat.

Paper Referenced

Kraemer, W., J. Vescovi, P. Dixon. The physiological basis of wrestling: implications for conditioning programs. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 26(2), 10-15. April 2004.

Implementation/Conclusion

As far as how I work these into programs, I will typically place this as the first pulling exercise.

Depending on your goals and the time of year, I’ll use different sets and reps when designing a program.

As far as how long to hold- I usually suggest around 3-5 seconds. You’re more than welcome to adjust this as you see fit.

The fact of the matter is you can’t neglect horizontal pulling if you want to improve your pulling strength for wrestling. In my opinion, the Cable Row with a hold is one of the best ways to do this.

A picture of Kyle Dake and Dickie White.
Hi, I’m Dickie (the author of this blog). Here I am with my good buddy, Kyle Dake. While he doesn't have a nice coat like me, he is pretty good at wrestling. Here's what he said about my training system:

Before I began lifting using Dickie's system my wrestling skills were getting slightly better. I've now been lifting under his guidance for more than 5 months and I have begun to dominating ALL of my competition. At first I had little faith in Dickie and his program, but now I would run into a wall if he told me I would get stronger! I know it sounds insane, but I would. The bottom line is Dickie is an expert and knows what he is talking about. If you want to defeat those kids whom you've always lost to and reach a level you never thought possible, I suggest you start lifting using Dickie's system immediately.

-Kyle Dake, 4X NCAA Division 1 National Champion
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Want to see what other wrestlers are saying about my training system? Check out my Success Stories page.

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Want to learn more about Dickie? Check out my About page.

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Want to get started on a program today? Read this post and download your free program- 12 Week Training Program For Wrestlers.

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5 Comments. Leave new

  • Dickie,

    I personally like and use a T bar row or more specifically an angled Olympic bar with a lat pulley “V” attachment to make it a close grip pull.

    I find that I can get good scapula retraction and it lends itself well to an isometric in the peak contraction position.

    I particularly like the fact that you lift while on your feet.

    You can of course also use the angled bar for one arms rows ( a John Meadows favourite for any bodybuilders out there) and suitcase deadlifts.

    Reply
    • Hey Peter, I definitely like the the fact that you’re on your feet when you perform the T bar row. I haven’t done them in a while, but we have a setup at my gym. I’ll be sure to give them a shot sometime this week and let you know what I think.

      I did a quick search for the bar you mentioned Meadows is a fan of, but couldn’t find anything. Can you post a pic or send me a link? Thanks man.

      Reply
      • Dickie,

        My reference to an angled bar is simply placing the end of an Olmpic bar in a corner or using a landmine type device into which one end of the barbell is inserted and which then acts as a pivot. As described I am sure that you are familar with the set up.

        Rather than use a T bar proper I prefer using a lat pulley V attachment on an olympic bar as I can keep my hands in a neutral position when pulling.

        Anyway you can access the Meadows article at t-nation.com

        http://www.t-nation.com/training/8-great-rowing-variations

        As you will see his lists the single arm Meadows row and the one arm barbell row as his 1 and 2. Both use the olympic bar either jammed in a corner or inserted in a “landmine” device.

        I do still however prefer working with both hands and more weight as it feels a little more specific to wrestling but that just be me. The angled set up is quite versatile enabling you to move easily from standing pulls to standing presses.

        Reply
        • Alright, that makes sense. Yeah that’s the only setup that I’m familiar with, I just thought that Meadows had come up with some new attachment call the “angled bar.” Ha, anyway, thanks for clearing that up for me; as you know, I can be a little slow sometimes. I’ll give a few of those a whirl tonight. I definitely prefer using the V attachment as well. I like the fact that it best simulates a pull in the hand position you’ll more than likely be in (well, close to it anyway) when looking to pull in a single leg, body lock, etc. Thanks for getting back to me man and talk to you soon.

          Reply
  • Dickie,

    If you have not tried them let me know what you think of pressing using the “angled” bar.

    It permits pressing on the feet as an alternative to vertical pressing so may be a little more wrestling specific. Although usually only performed one arm at a time it does allow a dynamic motion.

    Reply

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