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Exercise Guide
How to do barbell underhand bent over row
Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.
The barbell underhand bent-over row is a compound back exercise that uses a supinated grip to involve the biceps more heavily. This variation targets the lower lats and mid-back effectively while allowing for significant weight to be moved. It is a great exercise for building a thick, powerful back and improving overall pulling strength for various athletic endeavors.
Stats
TIER
2
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Barbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Back, Biceps
Instructions for Proper Form
Setup:
- Stance: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
- Hinge: Bend forward at your hips until your torso is roughly at a 45-degree angle to the floor. Keep your back straight and core engaged.
- Grip: Grasp the barbell slightly wider than shoulder-width with an overhand grip (palms facing down).
The Lift:
- Initiate the Pull: Pull the barbell towards your belly button, keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades: At the top of the movement, focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together for maximum back engagement.
- Controlled Descent: Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, maintaining tension in your back muscles.
- Reset: Breathe, reset your core, and start the next repetition.
Tips:
- Pretend to pull your elbows back: Focus on this cue to engage your back muscles efficiently.
- Chest proud: Keep your chest lifted throughout the lift to prevent your back from rounding.
- Variations: Experiment with different grip widths and underhand grips to change the muscle emphasis.
Common mistakes: Standing too upright, rounding the lower back, and using momentum to jerk the barbell toward the waist.
Alternatives
Cable
lat prayer
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Pull Up Bar
chin up
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Lat Pulldown
lat pulldown(wide bar)
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Row Cable
cable seated one arm row
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Pull Up Bar
chin up
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Lat Pulldown
lat pulldown behind the neck
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Dumbbell
dumbbell bent over row
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Pull Up Bar
chin ups narrow parallel grip
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Pull Up Bar
pull up
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Lat Pulldown
cable one arm lat pulldown
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Pull Up Bar
close grip chin up
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Lat Pulldown
lat pulldown
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Row Cable
cable seated row
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Barbell
barbell bent over row
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Cable
cable straigth arm pulldown(rope)
BackRear Shoulder
Cable
cable straight arm pulldown(bar)
BackRear Shoulder
Barbell
barbell underhand bent over row
BackBiceps
Lat Pulldown
cable seated high row(v-bar)
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Bench
dumbbell chest supported row
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Front Pulldown
machine front pulldown
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Dumbbell
dumbbell one arm row(with support)
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Barbell
barbell chest supported row
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Barbell
t-bar row(v-grip)
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Landmine
t-bar row
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Lat Pulldown
cable wide grip behind neck pulldown
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Low Row Machine
machine low row
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Barbell
barbell reverse grip supported row
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Pulldown Machine
machine lateral pulldown
BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown
lat pulldown reverse close grip
BackBiceps+1
High Row Machine
machine high row
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Row Cable
cable low seated row
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Seated Row Machine
machine seated row
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Cable
cable pulldown(v-bar)
BackRear Shoulder
None
sliding floor pulldown on towel
BackBiceps
None
superman row with towel
BackBiceps
Row Cable
cable seated row(rope)
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Rings
ring high suspended row
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Squat Rack
inverted row bend knees
BackRear Shoulder+1
Kettlebell
kettlebell bent over row
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Rings
ring suspended row
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Dumbbell
dumbbell pull over
BackChest+2
Resistance Band
band seated row
BackBiceps+1
Rowing Machine
rowing on rowing machine
BackQuads+2