Scapulae Imbalance

[craigmeister]

I was reading on article by Bill Hartman and Mike Robertson that stated both the bench press and rowing movements tend to put the scapulae in a position of retraction and depression. They then went on to state that this could lead to an imbalance muscles that control the scapulae.
Do you agree with their assessment? Is so, what do you think is the best way to offset this imbalance?

Thanks,
Craig

[Mark Rippetoe]

I'd have to read the article, Craig. But offhand, I don't see how.

[Brandon Oto]

Well... let's say you only rowed and benched. Are there any muscles that manipulate the scapulae (I don't remember all the different articulations, but there's plenty) that would be left out? Traps, maybe?

[craigmeister]

I would wait until you are bored or are having trouble falling asleep, but here's a link: http://www.t-nation.com/readArticle.do?id=1426252

[Mark Rippetoe]

If you bench and row, and that's all, and a "muscle imbalance" occurs, that would not be terribly surprising. That's why I always balance bench pressing with an equal volume of pressing, and why chins are also a major exercise in my programs. In other words, if you construct a goofy training scenario -- say, leg extensions and leg curls, pec decks, crossover cables, and seated behind the neck presses -- you shouldn't be terribly shocked with goofy results like "muscle imbalances".