Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Barbell One Arm Bent over Row: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The barbell one arm bent over row is a unilateral strength exercise targeting the upper back, requiring balance, coordination, and core stability. It is performed by bending at the hips, keeping the back straight, and rowing a barbell with one arm while maintaining a stable position.

Primary muscles
Traps
Secondary muscles
Biceps , Forearms
Equipment
Barbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the barbell one arm bent over row
Front view: muscles worked by the barbell one arm bent over row. Primary: traps. Secondary: biceps and forearms.
Back view: muscles worked by the barbell one arm bent over row. Primary: traps. Secondary: biceps and forearms.
Primary Secondary

How to do the barbell one arm bent over row

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a barbell with one hand using an overhand grip.
  2. Step 2: Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your head in a neutral position.
  3. Step 3: Pull the barbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  4. Step 4: Lower the barbell back down to the starting position in a controlled manner.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch to the other arm.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the barbell one arm bent over row by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Barbell One Arm Bent over Row alternatives

More exercises that train the traps as their main target:

More traps exercises

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Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.