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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:

  1. Stance: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
  2. 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.
  3. Grip: Grasp the barbell slightly wider than shoulder-width with an overhand grip (palms facing down).

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the Pull: Pull the barbell towards your belly button, keeping your elbows close to your body.
  2. Squeeze your shoulder blades: At the top of the movement, focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together for maximum back engagement.
  3. Controlled Descent: Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, maintaining tension in your back muscles.
  4. 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

Back
Pull Up Bar

chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown(wide bar)

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable seated one arm row

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown behind the neck

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell bent over row

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Pull Up Bar

chin ups narrow parallel grip

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

pull up

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Lat Pulldown

cable one arm lat pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

close grip chin up

BackBiceps+1
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)

BackBiceps+1
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

BackBiceps+1
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

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable low seated row

BackBiceps+1
Seated Row Machine

machine seated row

BackBiceps+1
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)

BackBiceps+1
Rings

ring high suspended row

BackBiceps+1
Squat Rack

inverted row bend knees

BackRear Shoulder+1
Kettlebell

kettlebell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
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