Demoralized with Inverted Rows

[hazmi]

Hi guys

I've been doing SL 5x5 for almost 5 weeks and really enjoying it, my squat is now almost to BW, can't wait to do deads and OHP everytime I hit the gym..

But one problem is that I find Inverted Rows to be hard..well not really hard, but every time I do IRs, I am unable to touch my chest to the bar, but I can easily manage to do more than 10 reps on the 1st set, but with my chest "NOT" touching the bar...

Therefore it turned out to be a bit demoralizing to me the fact that I'm doing it wrong. FYI, I'm doing it with my knees bent.

It is possible that my lat is weak? cause I have never work my lats before. I did the chin-up exercise and now I can manage 1 perfect chin-up (I can't even do 1 before) but never work my pull-ups as I want to work on my chin-up 1st before moving on to pull-ups.

So to sum it up,
1) I dont like IR; cause I can't seem to touch the bar with my chest
2) I think it's because my lat is weak
3) I only do chin-ups, not pull-ups (i can only manage 1 chin-up)

So, my question is:
1) Should I do Barbell Rows instead? or is there anything that I can do to fix my IR?
2) Does chin-up work my lats? (I know pull-up will work the lats)
3) Should I do both chin-ups & pull-ups at the same time or only work my chin-ups for the time being until I can manage a few reps?

Thanks, any help is appreciated!

[holvoetn]

1. not necessarily. Keep trying IR. Barbell rows will allow you to use lower weights but once you move up to the real big weights it may cause lower back issues.
2. Oh yes they do. Chins work the biceps more then pull-ups but both will work your lats (and biceps and a couple of other muscles).
3. If you follow the SL5x5 program you will alternate chins and pulls.

Basic message: the only way to get good at an exercise is by doing it.