Smith Machine Bent Over Row

Mid backMachineBeginnerCompound
Smith Machine Bent Over Row — start position
Start
Smith Machine Bent Over Row — finish position
Finish
Muscles worked
PrimaryMid back
SecondaryBiceps, Lats, Shoulders

How to do it

  1. 01

    Set the barbell attached to the smith machine to a height that is about 2 inches below your knees.

  2. 02

    Bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward, by bending at the waist, while keeping the back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up.

  3. 03

    Now grasp the barbell using an overhand (pronated) grip and unlock it from the smith machine rack. Then let it hang directly in front of you as your arms hang extended perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.

  4. 04

    While keeping the torso stationary, lift the barbell as you breathe out, keeping the elbows close to the body and not doing any force with the forearm other than holding the weights. On the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a second.

  5. 05

    Slowly lower the weight again to the starting position as you inhale.

  6. 06

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In the app

Smith Machine Bent Over Row appears when you own the machine and the day's window has room for it. Loads come from Rule 3 (Loads rise when earned, read from RPE, graded strong) and climb on the reps you actually did.

If a machine is taken the engine swaps a same-pattern movement and says why.

If you don't have the machine

Same movement pattern, same primary muscles — swap by what you have.

With barbell
With bodyweight
With dumbbell
With cable
With kettlebell

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