Why are rows so bad? I've been doing 5x5 for about a month now and find rows to be what appears to be a good complementary workout.

My gym has bumpers and people do power cleans all the time. Should I consider replacing rows?

I like that the power cleans add explosiveness to the program. All the other lifts are slow (at least when I do them) and the power cleans make the program a bit more versatile.

I do try to keep lifts explosive as I can, though I can already feel how hard that will be as weight keeps growing.

I think the olympic lifts are really cool, but I feel it'd take significant motive to go off program and include them at least until I top out on 5x5s.

I agree, but I swear he said that in starting strength.

I heard the profanity on video. (I've read the second edition of Starting Strength, and can't remember reading about rows.)

I decided to verify that I am not making things up ;)

Starting Strength, 2nd edition:

- There is a whole section on barbell rows in the "Useful Assistance Exercises" chapter. See page 263.

- Barbell row substitution is mentioned in the "Programming" chapter. Page 289, start of 5th paragraph: "People without access to bumper plates may choose to use the barbell row instead of the power clean. This is not a terrible substitution, but be aware of what you're giving up if you do..."

I guess Rip changed his mind?