All Exercises

Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Row

Perform the barbell reverse grip incline bench row to build a strong, thick upper back.

Advanced
Compound
Pull
2 min per set1 min rest

Description

A reverse grip row performed on an incline bench using a barbell. This exercise targets the muscles in the upper back.

How to Do Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Row

  1. 1
    Setup

    Set up an adjustable incline bench to an angle between 30-45 degrees. Position a barbell on the floor in front of the bench, ensuring enough space to fully extend your arms.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Lie chest-down on the incline bench with your feet firmly planted on the floor, providing a stable base. Reach down and grasp the barbell with an underhand (supinated) grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

  3. 3

    Brace your core and initiate the pull by retracting your shoulder blades and driving your elbows upwards towards the ceiling, squeezing your back muscles. Pull the barbell towards your lower chest or upper abdomen.

  4. 4

    Pause briefly at the top, focusing on a strong contraction in your lats and middle back.

  5. 5

    Slowly and controlledly lower the barbell back to the starting position, allowing your shoulder blades to protract and your lats to stretch fully. Maintain tension throughout the eccentric phase.

  6. 6

    Exhale as you pull the weight up and inhale as you lower it. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Tips

  • Focus on pulling with your elbows: Visualize driving your elbows back and up, rather than just pulling with your biceps, to maximize back engagement.
  • Maintain a neutral spine: Keep your neck in line with your spine and avoid hyperextending or rounding your back to protect your lower spine.
  • Control the negative: Don't let gravity drop the weight; control the descent to maximize time under tension and muscle growth.
  • Experiment with grip width: A slightly wider or narrower grip can emphasize different parts of the back, so find what feels most effective for you.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Using too much momentum: Avoid swinging the weight by maintaining a strict form and controlling the movement throughout each repetition.
  • ×Not fully extending at the bottom: Ensure you allow your shoulder blades to protract and your lats to fully stretch at the bottom of the movement to achieve a complete range of motion.
  • ×Rounding the upper back: Keep your chest pressed firmly against the bench and maintain a slight arch in your upper back to ensure proper posture and target the intended muscles.

Variations

Related Exercises

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