Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Row: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The barbell reverse grip incline bench row targets the upper back and also engages the biceps and forearms. It is performed on an incline bench with a reverse grip on the barbell, focusing on pulling the weight towards the upper abdomen while maintaining a strong, stable posture.

Primary muscles
Traps
Secondary muscles
Forearms , Biceps
Equipment
Barbell
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the barbell reverse grip incline bench row
Front view: muscles worked by the barbell reverse grip incline bench row. Primary: traps. Secondary: forearms and biceps.
Back view: muscles worked by the barbell reverse grip incline bench row. Primary: traps. Secondary: forearms and biceps.
Primary Secondary

How to do the barbell reverse grip incline bench row

  1. Step 1: Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
  2. Step 2: Sit on the bench facing the backrest with your chest against it.
  3. Step 3: Grab the barbell with a reverse grip (palms facing down) and hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  4. Step 4: Keep your back straight and core engaged.
  5. Step 5: Pull the barbell towards your upper abdomen, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  6. Step 6: Pause for a moment at the top of the movement.
  7. Step 7: Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
  8. Step 8: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the barbell reverse grip incline bench 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 Reverse Grip Incline Bench Row alternatives

More exercises that train the traps as their main target:

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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.