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Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Data

Type: Strength
Main Muscle Worked: Middle Back
Other Muscles: Biceps, Lats, Shoulders
Equipment: Barbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Level: Beginner
Sport: No
Force: Pull
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8.5

Out of 10

Excellent

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Bent Over Barbell Row Images

Bent Over Barbell Row
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Bent Over Barbell Row
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Bent Over Barbell Row Guide

Main Muscle: Middle Back

  1. Holding 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. Now, 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. Then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Caution: This exercise is not recommended for people with back problems. A Low Pulley Row is a better choice for people with back issues.

Also, just like with the bent knee dead-lift, if you have a healthy back, ensure perfect form and never slouch the back forward as this can cause back injury.

Be cautious as well with the weight used; in case of doubt, use less weight rather than more.

Variations: You can perform the same exercise using a supinated (palms facing you) grip.



Alternative Exercises For Bent Over Barbell Row

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  • Reviews & Tips
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of people found this review helpful

Review: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
N/A

Jan 11, 2012 3:35 PM: best work out for lats



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of people found this review helpful

Review: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
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Jan 2, 2012 1:13 AM: A classic. Always works the back (:



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of people found this tip helpful

Tip: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
N/A

Dec 19, 2011 7:13 PM: I could never figure this exercise out properly until I watched some Arnold clips to see how he did it. You really have to bend over, so your torso is parallel to the ground, then take a very wide grip. He even would stand on a bench or platform to force more of a stretch in the lift. I love it now...+See More



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of people found this review helpful

Review: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
9/10

Nov 14, 2011 4:09 AM: Great exercise.



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of people found this tip helpful

Tip: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
7/10

Oct 28, 2011 1:13 AM: It's a good exercise, yes. But do yourself a favour and just do Pendlay Rows (back parallel and the barbell goes to the floor on every rep). They are safer for the back, they actually target the lats better, and plus you'll look like a king for showing the world how BB rows are meant to be done to smash...+See More



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of people found this review helpful

Review: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
10/10

Sep 6, 2011 1:39 AM: Great mass builder for the back. Should be a staple of any back routine along with deadlifts and pullups.



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Tip: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
10/10

Aug 9, 2011 1:17 PM: If you don't cheat while doing those you will see great gains !



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Tip: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
6/10

Aug 9, 2011 7:58 AM: I always feel so tempted to cheat while doing this lift. Honing perfect form certainly takes time for this lift!



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Tip: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
9/10

Jun 29, 2011 4:37 AM: For this exercise the weight should be lower than what you can just lift. It should be what you can properly lift to your stomach. By only pulling the bar up a few inches, the workout is lost due to lack of squeezing your back muscles.



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Review: Bent Over Barbell Row

Exercise Rating
9/10

Apr 5, 2011 10:14 AM: Great excercise for the larger back muscles!



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