Chest Supported Row (Barbell)
A horizontal pulling exercise where your chest is supported on an inclined bench, eliminating lower back stress. Excellent for isolating back development while minimizing lower back demand.
Instructions
- Set an adjustable bench to an incline angle (approximately 30-45 degrees).
- Lie face down on the bench with your chest supported against the incline.
- Let your arms hang naturally, then grip a barbell with hands slightly wider than shoulder-width.
- Keep your feet flat on the floor or the bench for stability.
- Pull the barbell toward your chest, driving your elbows back and up.
- Squeeze your back muscles and lats at the top of the movement.
- Lower the barbell back to the starting position with controlled movement.
- Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.
Tips
- Chest support eliminates the need for lower back stability, allowing heavier weight lifting.
- Focus entirely on back muscle engagement without lower back compensation.
- The angle of the bench can be adjusted based on comfort and preference.
- This is an excellent exercise for isolating back development.
- Proper form and control are important; avoid using momentum.
Recommended starting values
Sensible novice starting points for each goal, for a lifter aged 25–40. Scale down for smaller frames or older lifters. Treat the first set of any session as a discovery set.
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | Female | |||
| Gain strength | 3 | 7 reps | 22.5 kg | 15 kg |
| Build muscle | 3 | 10 reps | 20 kg | 12.5 kg |
| Build endurance | 3 | 14 reps | 15 kg | 10 kg |
Alternatives
Exercises that target the same muscles with the same force and mechanic.
expert strength
Australian Pull-Up
Learn more about australian pull-up beginner strength
Ballistic Row (Kettlebell)
Learn more about ballistic row (kettlebell) intermediate strength
Bent-Over Row (Cable)
Learn more about bent-over row (cable) intermediate strength
Bent-Over Row (Kettlebell)
Learn more about bent-over row (kettlebell) beginner strength
Bent-Over Row (Trap Bar)
Learn more about bent-over row (trap bar) intermediate strength
Bent-Over Row Landmine (Barbell)
Learn more about bent-over row landmine (barbell) beginner strength
intermediate strength
Chest Supported Row (Cable)
Learn more about chest supported row (cable) intermediate strength
Chest Supported Row (Dumbbell)
Learn more about chest supported row (dumbbell) intermediate strength
Chest-Supported Incline Row (Dumbbell)
Learn more about chest-supported incline row (dumbbell) intermediate strength
Close Grip Lat Pulldown (Cable)
Learn more about close grip lat pulldown (cable) intermediate strength
Double Kettlebell Renegade Row
Learn more about double kettlebell renegade row intermediate strength
Double Kettlebell Row
Learn more about double kettlebell row intermediate strength
Incline Row (Smith Machine)
Learn more about incline row (smith machine) beginner strength
beginner strength
Inverted Row (Smith Machine)
Learn more about inverted row (smith machine) beginner strength
Inverted Row (Trap Bar)
Learn more about inverted row (trap bar) beginner strength
beginner strength
beginner strength
Iso-Lateral Low Row (Machine)
Learn more about iso-lateral low row (machine) intermediate strength
beginner strength
Kroc Row (Dumbbell)
Learn more about kroc row (dumbbell) intermediate strength
Landmine Row (Barbell)
Learn more about landmine row (barbell) beginner strength
Low Row (Cable)
Learn more about low row (cable) beginner strength
Low Row (Suspension)
Learn more about low row (suspension) beginner strength
Lying Pull (Sled)
Learn more about lying pull (sled) beginner strength
Meadows Row (Barbell)
Learn more about meadows row (barbell) intermediate strength
Negative Pull-Up
Learn more about negative pull-up beginner strength
Neutral Grip Pull-Up
Learn more about neutral grip pull-up intermediate strength
expert strength
One Arm Seated Row (Cable)
Learn more about one arm seated row (cable) beginner strength
intermediate strength
Pendlay Row (Barbell)
Learn more about pendlay row (barbell) intermediate strength
Power Row (Sled)
Learn more about power row (sled) intermediate strength
Rack Pull (Smith Machine)
Learn more about rack pull (smith machine) intermediate strength
Renegade Row
Learn more about renegade row intermediate strength
Renegade Row (Kettlebell)
Learn more about renegade row (kettlebell) intermediate strength
Rope Pull (Sled)
Learn more about rope pull (sled) intermediate strength
Seal Row (Barbell)
Learn more about seal row (barbell) intermediate strength
Seal Row (Dumbbell)
Learn more about seal row (dumbbell) intermediate strength
Seated Close Grip Row (Cable)
Learn more about seated close grip row (cable) beginner strength
Seated Row (Cable)
Learn more about seated row (cable) beginner strength
Seated Row (Sled)
Learn more about seated row (sled) beginner strength
Seated Wide Grip Row (Cable)
Learn more about seated wide grip row (cable) beginner strength
Single Arm Row (Sled)
Learn more about single arm row (sled) beginner strength
Staggered Row (Steel Mace)
Learn more about staggered row (steel mace) intermediate strength
Supinated Row (Band)
Learn more about supinated row (band) beginner strength
T-Bar Row (Band)
Learn more about t-bar row (band) intermediate strength
beginner strength
intermediate strength
Typewriter Row
Learn more about typewriter row intermediate strength