All Exercises

Barbell Deadstop Row with Rack

Master the Barbell Deadstop Row from a rack to build a powerful, thick back. This variation enhances strength and control by resetting each rep.

Advanced
Compound
Pull
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

A strength training exercise where you pull a barbell off the ground while hinged at the waist, hitting your back, shoulders, and arms.

How to Do Barbell Deadstop Row with Rack

  1. 1
    Setup

    Set a barbell in a power rack with the pins at mid-shin height, allowing you to achieve a full deadstop at the bottom of each rep. Stand with your feet hip-width apart, toes pointing slightly out, directly under the bar.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Hinge at your hips and bend your knees to grab the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width. Ensure your shins are close to the bar and your back is straight, chest up, with a neutral spine.

  3. 3

    Initiate the pull by driving your feet into the floor and pulling the barbell off the pins towards your lower abdomen, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Keep your elbows close to your body.

  4. 4

    Hold the contracted position briefly at the top, feeling the engagement in your lats and upper back. Slowly lower the barbell back to the pins with control, allowing it to come to a complete stop.

  5. 5

    Fully release tension in your lats and reset your body position before initiating the next repetition, ensuring each pull starts from a dead stop.

Tips

  • Focus on driving your elbows back and up towards the ceiling, rather than just pulling with your arms, to maximize back muscle engagement.
  • Maintain a rigid core throughout the movement to protect your lower back and effectively transfer force from your lower body to the bar.
  • Visualize pulling the bar towards your hips, not your chest, to keep the movement path optimal for targeting the lats and mid-back.
  • Ensure a full dead stop on the pins for each rep; this eliminates momentum and forces your muscles to work harder from a static position.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Rounding the back during the pull can lead to injury; maintain a neutral spine and keep your chest up throughout the entire movement.
  • ×Using excessive momentum or bouncing the bar off the pins negates the benefit of the deadstop; ensure each rep starts from a complete stop with no bounce.
  • ×Flaring elbows out too wide reduces lat engagement and puts stress on the shoulders; keep your elbows tucked in closer to your body to effectively target the back muscles.

Variations

Related Exercises

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