Reverse-Grip Barbell Row — start position
Start
Reverse-Grip Barbell Row — end position
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Back / Intermediate / Compound (multi-joint)

Reverse-Grip Barbell Row

A bent-over row with an underhand grip that builds the lats, upper back and biceps.

At a glance

Primary
Lats, Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps)
Secondary
Biceps, Rear delts, Lower back (erectors), Forearms & grip
Equipment
Barbell
Movement pattern
Row, Shoulder-blade squeeze, Elbow flexion (curl)
Level
Intermediate
Type
Back, Compound (multi-joint)

Loads the lower back. Use a load you can control and skip it if it causes pain.

How to do it

  1. Hold a barbell with an underhand, shoulder-width grip.
  2. Hinge at the hips with knees slightly bent until your torso is about 45 degrees or lower, back flat.
  3. Row the bar to your lower ribs, driving your elbows back close to your body.
  4. Lower the bar under control to straight arms.

Tips

  • Keep your back flat and torso still; do not jerk the weight.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps — secondary (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) — primary (Back)Rear delts — secondary (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats — primary (Back)Lower back (erectors) — secondary (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Lats, Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps)
  • Secondary: Biceps, Rear delts, Lower back (erectors), Forearms & grip

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Illustration: Everkinetic (everkinetic.com), CC BY-SA 4.0.