Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Kettlebell One Arm Row: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The kettlebell one arm row is a unilateral pulling exercise that targets the upper back, with secondary emphasis on the biceps and forearms. It requires maintaining a stable hip hinge position while rowing the kettlebell with one arm, promoting strength and muscle development in the upper back and improving core…

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

How to do the kettlebell one arm row

  1. Step 1: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a kettlebell in one hand with an overhand grip.
  2. Step 2: Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
  3. Step 3: Pull the kettlebell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  4. Step 4: Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the kettlebell back down to the starting position.
  5. Step 5: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides and repeat with the other arm.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the kettlebell one arm 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.

Kettlebell One Arm 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.