LiftSets / Exercises / Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row
Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row
Works the middle back. Helped by the biceps and lats.


Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.
Muscles worked
middle backbicepslats
How many reps
| Goal | Reps per set |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3-6 |
| Muscle size | 6-10 |
| Endurance | 12-20+ |
Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.
| Kit | Barbell |
|---|---|
| Level | Intermediate |
What to think about
- Flat back, hips stay still.
- Pull the elbow to the hip.
- Push the other bell into the floor.
How to do it
- Put weight on one of the ends of an Olympic barbell. Make sure that you either place the other end of the barbell in the corner of two walls; or put a heavy object on the ground so the barbell cannot slide backward.
- Bend forward until your torso is as close to parallel with the floor as you can and keep your knees slightly bent.
- Now grab the bar with both arms just behind the plates on the side where the weight was placed and put your other hand on your knee. This will be your starting position.
- Pull the bar straight up with your elbows in (to maximize back stimulation) until the plates touch your lower chest. Squeeze the back muscles as you lift the weight up and hold for a second at the top of the movement. Breathe out as you lift the weight. Tip: Use a stirrup or double handle cable attachment by hooking it under the end of the bar.
- Slowly lower the bar to the starting position getting a nice stretch on the lats. Tip: Do not let the plates touch the floor. To ensure the best range of motion, I recommend using small plates (25-lb ones) as opposed to larger plates (like 35-45lb ones).
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Other exercises for the middle back
- Alternating Kettlebell Row
- Bent Over Barbell Row
- Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
- Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
- Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row with Palms In
- Dumbbell Incline Row
- Gorilla Row
- Incline Bench Pull
Track it in LiftSets
Log Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.
Coming soon to the App Store