Upper back exercises

Barbell Lying Cambered-bar Row

Also known as: Rowing allongé à la barre cambrée · Κωπηλατική μπρούμυτα με κυρτή μπάρα · Lying Cambered Barbell Row · chest supported row · bench row

Primary
Upper back
Equipment
Barbell
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Force
Pull
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Barbell Lying Cambered-bar Row

  1. Place a cambered bar underneath an exercise bench.

  2. Lie face down on the exercise bench and grab the bar using a palms down (pronated grip) that is wider than shoulder width. This will be your starting position.

  3. As you exhale row the bar up as you keep the elbows close to your body to either your chest, in order to target the upper mid back, or to your stomach if targeting the lats is your goal.

  4. After a second hold at the top, lower back down to the starting position slowly as you inhale.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 2.5 kg (5 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Upper back

Secondary

Biceps, Lats, Traps

Rhomboids, mid traps and rear delts hold your shoulder blades in place. Rows, face pulls and reverse flyes build thickness and healthier shoulders.

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Barbell upper back exercises