Description:
The Barbell Pendlay Row is a horizontal rowing exercise that builds the lats and the muscles of the mid back. Hinging forward at the hips also makes the lower back and hamstrings work to hold position.
Benefits:
- Builds the lats and mid back.
- Develops back thickness.
- Strengthens the pulling muscles for other lifts.
- Improves posture by strengthening the upper back.
- Trains the whole back together.
Profile:
| Equipment: | Barbell |
| Type: | Strength Training (Compound) |
| Resistance Type: | Free Weight |
| Level: | Advanced |
Muscles:
Primary Muscles
- Latissimus Dorsi
Secondary Muscles
- Rhomboids
- Middle Trapezius
- Posterior Deltoid
- Biceps Brachii
- Erector Spinae
Classification:
| Mechanics: | Compound |
| Force: | Pull |
| Utility: | Basic |
Instructions:
- Hinge over a barbell resting on the floor with your torso roughly parallel to the ground and take an overhand grip just outside your knees.
- Set your back flat and your core braced, hinged forward at the hips.
- Pull the weight toward your upper stomach, leading with your elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause briefly at the top of the pull.
- Lower the weight under control until your arms are straight and you feel a stretch in the back.
- Repeat for the desired reps.
Common Mistakes:
- Using momentum or jerking the weight up.
- Rounding the lower back instead of keeping it flat.
- Pulling with the arms instead of the back.
- Not squeezing the shoulder blades together.
- Cutting the range of motion short.
Variations:
- Barbell Bent Over Row
- Dumbbell Single Arm Row
- Cable Seated Row
- Lat Pulldown
Safety Tips:
- Keep the back flat and the core braced throughout.
- Use a weight you can row without jerking.
- Avoid rounding the lower back under load.
- Stop if you feel lower back or shoulder pain.
Additional Information:
Rows build the thickness of the back. Pull with the back rather than the arms, and control the lowering to keep tension on the target muscles.
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