Barbell Bent Over Row

A staple back-building exercise. It targets the lats, rhomboids, and traps while building significant posterior chain stability.

Exercise Details

Level: Beginner
Body Area: upper
Type: pull
Mechanics: Compound

Required Equipment

Barbell

Target Muscle Groups

Primary

Back

Secondary

Biceps

Setup

Hinge forward at the hips with a flat back. Hold the bar with a pronated grip at shoulder-width. Brace your core.

Instructions

1. Pull the bar toward your lower ribs.
2. Drive the elbows back and squeeze the shoulder blades together.
3. Lower the bar slowly to full extension.
4. Maintain a stationary torso.
5. Keep your neck neutral.

Common Mistakes

1. Rounding the back.
2. Using momentum to pull.
3. Pulling the bar too high toward the chest.

Alternative Exercises

Zottman Curl

Beginner / Dumbbells / Biceps / pull

A unique arm exercise that combines a standard curl with a reverse curl. It targets the biceps on the way up and the forearms on the way down.

Wide Grip Behind the Neck Pulldown

Intermediate / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

An advanced lat-building variation that isolates the upper back. It requires significant shoulder mobility and emphasizes the outer fibers of the lats.

Wide Grip Behind the Neck Pull-Up

Advanced / Pull-up Bar / Back / pull

Targets the upper back and rear deltoids. Pulling behind the neck requires advanced shoulder mobility and focuses on scapular retraction.

Wide Grip Pull-Up

Intermediate / Pull-up Bar / Back / pull

Emphasizes the outer lats and teres major. This variation is the gold standard for building back width and the classic "V" taper.

Weighted Lying Twist

Intermediate / Stability (Swiss) Ball / Back / core

A rotational core exercise that targets the internal and external obliques. It is essential for developing rotational power and improving lateral spinal stability.

Underhand Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A pulling exercise that increases bicep activation and targets the lower lats. The supinated grip allows for a deeper contraction and greater range of motion.

Twin Handle Parallel Grip Lat Pulldown

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Back / pull

A back exercise using two separate handles to allow for a neutral grip. This variation is shoulder-friendly and builds significant mid-back thickness.