Back·Barbell·Compound

Bent Over Barbell Row

Upper Back · Barbell

Beginner

Body Part

Back

Equipment

Barbell

Level

Beginner

Type

Compound

Force

Pull

The Bent Over Barbell Row is a beginner barbell exercise that primarily targets the Upper Back.

Muscles Worked

Upper Back primaryBiceps secondaryLats secondaryShoulders secondary

How to Do the Bent Over Barbell Row

  1. 1Holding a barbell with a pronated grip (palms facing down), bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward, by bending at the waist, while keeping the back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up. The barbell should hang directly in front of you as your arms hang perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.
  2. 2Now, while keeping the torso stationary, breathe out and lift the barbell to you. Keep the elbows close to the body and only use the forearms to hold the weight. At the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a brief pause.
  3. 3Then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
  4. 4Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Related Exercises

Exercise data from the open-source Free Exercise DB.