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In strength training, rowing (or a row, usually preceded by a qualifying adjective — for instance a cable seated row, barbell upright row, dumbbell bent-over row, T-bar rows, et cetera) is an exercise where the purpose is to strengthen the muscles that draw the rower's arms toward the body ( latissimus dorsi) as well as those that retract the scapulae ( trapezius and rhomboids) and those that support the spine ( erector spinae). When done on a rowing machine, rowing also exercises muscles that extend and support the legs ( quadriceps [1] and thigh muscles [2]). In all cases, the abdominal and lower back muscles [3] must be used in order to support the body and prevent back injury.
Many other weight-assisted gym exercises mimic the movement of rowing, such as the deadlift, high pull and the bent-over row. An effective off-season training programme combines both erg pieces and weight-assisted movements similar to rowing, with an emphasis on improving endurance under high tension rather than maximum strength.