So i have tried, tried and tried but still cannot set my torso horizontal/ parallel to the floor at the starting position. Now my torso at starting position is about 30°, more or less the starting position for deadlift.

My question, does it matter if it's horizontal/ parallel or not? If it does, any pointer how to help me make it? I know there will be arguments for and against, so if possible, pls help to provide links so I could read up more.

Appreciate all inputs.

Just do the machine rows/ t-bar row or dumbbell row on bench. You lack flexibility for pendly.

I'm not gonna drop it from my routine bcs of lame excuse like flexibility. It's weightlifting ffs, not yoga, how flexible do i need to be?

I fix problems, not running away from them.

How is your deadlift starting position? Maybe you should improve your deadlift first, then you can improve your Pendlay row. Take a look at Alan Thrall latest about deadlift video. He even explain about different body type for deadlift.

Bro do u mean this? I have looked it up and thanks I will need some tips to perfect my deadlift. But it doesnt answer if the torso should be horizontal all the time regardless of body ratio. Maybe your input pls? From what i have gathered this far, it's still ok for it to be slightly upright, similar to DL.

go to the source.

Thanks for this! Even I watched without the sound, it looks like my form is not correct. My bar is over my mid foot, therefore I could almost never pull it without rounding up my back. And arms are not perpendicular to the floor (from side view)

The No excuse mentality just gonna get you to a serious injury with a RM 10,000 hospital bill.

Exactly what Im trying to prevent here?

I think it's ok not to be horizontal.... emphasizing more on different muscle only..... but no harm done as long as you dun round your back...

Barbell Row is controlled positive and negative motion

Pendlay Row explosive positive and no control on the negative

from my understanding

or is it the same thing??

Kinda correct, except still need to have some control on the negative for Pendlay or u might lose balance. Just that eccentric phase is not the focus of the workout.

For bent over row, u should feel the muscles in both concentric & eccentric phase

Pendlay Row is not for everyone. It depends on how strong your hips are in maintaining that parallel position to the floor.

My advise is, like everything else, start light and practise on form first. Try not to swing back and forth. If you are, probably going too heavy. If done wrongly, can hurt your hip and lower back. So be careful.

Hmm thing is, my torso is never parallel to the floor to begin with. Not even at low weight, not even at the starting position. Hell, I have even tried to get it corrected at home when I'm free - with imaginary barbell - and I still dont get that. I have read that what matters is that the back must be neutral, that I could maintain. I'm just gonna allow my torso be slightly upright, it might hit slightly different area of muscles but still acceptable I suppose?

Why not fix this problem first? Why die die want to pendly? Why leh?

I'm trying to fix it, if it's actually a problem.

And no, not die die must pendlay. It's just the variation I adopt from when I was running sl 5x5. I have contemplated switching to other form before, when I couldn't keep my back neutral

Just a suggestion, don't do it as explosive movements requires practise and good form. If your posture doesn't allow it, replace it with something else or correct your form using just the bar.

I learned my lesson the hard way....

I would agree with mike. Rack pulls can be an alternative.

Exactly, Pendlay Row mainly engages your core strength every time you move into position. For Pendlay Row to be effective though, you will need to go heavy to target your overall back. Question is, can your core take it? How many reps before you start swinging back and fourth? Its a dangerous move if done wrongly.

If you are using Pendlay Row as an assistance exercise for the Deadlift, like Bafukie said, Rack pulls can be a good alternative.

Then again, all exercises can be dangerous if done incorrectly. Form, at least a good one above all else.

Thanks for all the kind replies here.

I will probably upload a form check video after my session tmr to let u guys further assess if my form is indeed that dire.