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Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row

Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row is a compound strength movement working the mid back with the biceps, lats, lower back, and traps assisting, 5 muscle groups in all. Rated beginner; needs a barbell. 33 of the other 872 exercises here hit the same primary muscle, closest being Inverted Row.

Barbell beginner strength compound pull
Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row — starting position, working the middle backBent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row — end position, working the middle back

How to do the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row

  1. Put weight on one of the ends of an Olympic barbell. Make sure that you either place the other end of the barbell in the corner of two walls; or put a heavy object on the ground so the barbell cannot slide backward.
  2. Bend forward until your torso is as close to parallel with the floor as you can and keep your knees slightly bent.
  3. Now grab the bar with one arm just behind the plates on the side where the weight was placed and put your other hand on your knee. This will be your starting position.
  4. Pull the bar straight up with your elbow in (to maximize back stimulation) until the plates touch your lower chest. Squeeze the back muscles as you lift the weight up and hold for a second at the top of the movement. Breathe out as you lift the weight. Tip: Do not allow for any swinging of the torso. Only the arm should move.
  5. Slowly lower the bar to the starting position getting a nice stretch on the lats. Tip: Do not let the plates touch the floor. To ensure the best range of motion, I recommend using small plates (25-lb ones) as opposed to larger plates (like 35-45lb ones).
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and switch arms.

Muscles worked

RoleMuscles
Primary middle back
Secondary biceps, lats, lower back, traps
Equipmentbarbell
Difficultybeginner
Type compound

No barbell? Train the same muscles with these

Ordered by how likely you are to own the 6 options.

Harder than the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row

Superset the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row with

Opposing chest work — alternate sets without extra rest.

Common questions

What muscles does the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row work?

The Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row primarily works the mid back, with the biceps, lats, lower back, and traps as secondary movers. Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows, Alternating Renegade Row, and Bent Over Barbell Row train the same muscle, across 8 equipment types.

What equipment do you need for the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row?

A Barbell. Without a barbell, Inverted Row, Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row, and Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row With Palms In train the same muscle, and 4 of the catalogue's options for this muscle need no equipment.

Is the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row is rated beginner. One Arm Chin-Up, Mixed Grip Chin, and Alternating Renegade Row are the progressions from here.

Where should the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row go in a workout?

Early — the Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row is compound, working 5 muscle groups, so run it first or second while you are fresh, then superset Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip and Barbell Incline Bench Press - Medium Grip later.

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