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Bent-Over Row

This is an excerpt from Weight Training-4th Edition by Thomas R. Baechle & Roger W. Earle.

Bent-Over Row

Begin with your feet shoulder-width apart and your shoulders slightly higher—10 to 30 degrees—than your hips (figure 5.1a). Your back should be flat, abdominal muscles contracted, elbows straight, knees slightly flexed, and eyes looking at the floor about 2 feet (61 cm) ahead of the bar. Grasp the bar in a palms-down overhand grip with thumbs around the bar. Your hands should be evenly spaced 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) wider than shoulder width.

Pull the bar upward in a straight line (figure 5.1b). Exhale as the bar nears your chest during the upward movement. Pull in a slow, controlled manner until the bar touches your chest near the nipples (or, for women, just below your breasts). Your torso should remain rigid throughout the exercise, with no bouncing or jerking.

MISSTEP

The bar does not touch your chest.

CORRECTION

Reduce the weight on the bar and concentrate on touching your chest with the bar.

When the bar touches your chest, pause momentarily before beginning the downward movement (figure 5.1a ). Inhale during the downward movement. Slowly lower the bar in a straight line to the starting position without letting the weight touch or bounce off the floor.

Be sure to keep your knees slightly flexed during the upward and downward movements to avoid placing excessive stress on your low back.

MISSTEP

Your upper back is rounded.

CORRECTION

Lift your head, slightly arch your back, and focus on a spot on the floor about 2 feet (61 cm) ahead of the bar.

MISSTEP

Your knees are locked.

CORRECTION

Flex your knees slightly to reduce stress on your low back.

MISSTEP

Your upper torso is not stable and moves up and down.

CORRECTION

Have someone place a hand on your upper back to help remind you of the proper position.

Although the bent-over row is considered to be one of the best exercises for the upper back, it is also frequently performed with bad technique or modified more than usual. Do not be tempted to use a heavier weight, thinking that it will increase your strength faster. Attempting to lift too much weight leads to bad technique and possible injury. Another mistake is to pull upward, simultaneously lifting with your legs and low back, and then quickly leaning forward to make contact with the bar. Too much forward lean combined with nearly or fully extended knees results in a significant amount of stress on the low back and increases your risk of injury.

Figure 5.1 Bent-Over Row (Free Weight)

 

Preparation

1. Use overhand grip, hands 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) wider than shoulder-width apart
2. Keep shoulders higher than hips
3. Keep low back flat
4. Keep elbows straight
5. Slightly flex knees
6. Hold head up, look at floor ahead of bar

Movement

1. Slowly pull bar straight up
2. Pause momentarily as bar touches chest
3. Touch chest near nipples (below breasts for women)
4. Keep torso rigid
5. Exhale as bar nears chest
6. Pause in highest position
7. Return to starting position while inhaling
8. Continue upward and downward movements until set is complete

Read more from Weight Training: Steps to Success, Fourth Edition by Thomas R. Baechle, Roger W. Earle.

More Excerpts From Weight Training 4th Edition

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