Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row

Strengthen your back and improve posture with the Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row. This exercise builds unilateral back strength and core stability.

Intermediate
Compound
Pull
1 min per set2 min rest

Description

A strength training exercise that targets the muscles of the upper body, including the back and arms. Stand next to a sturdy object and perform a rowing motion with one arm while keeping the other arm straight.

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How to Do Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row

  1. 1
    Setup

    Stand next to a sturdy vertical object, such as a door frame or pole, with your feet hip-width apart and about an arm's length away from the anchor point.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Grasp the object with one hand at approximately chest height, ensuring your arm is fully extended; maintain a slight bend in your knees and a neutral spine.

  3. 3

    Engage your back muscles, initiating the pull by retracting your shoulder blade back and down, then bending your elbow to pull your chest towards your hand.

  4. 4

    Pause briefly when your chest is close to your hand, feeling a strong contraction in your latissimus dorsi and other back muscles.

  5. 5

    Slowly extend your arm, controlling your body's return to the starting position while resisting the pull and maintaining tension.

  6. 6

    Complete all desired repetitions on one side before switching to the other arm to ensure balanced strength development.

Tips

  • Initiate the movement by squeezing your shoulder blade towards your spine before bending your elbow to maximize back muscle engagement.
  • Adjust the exercise difficulty by moving your feet: step further away from the anchor point to increase the challenge, or closer to make it easier.
  • Maintain a strong, braced core throughout the entire movement to prevent torso rotation and protect your lower back.
  • Focus on a slow and controlled eccentric (lowering) phase to maximize time under tension and enhance muscle growth.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Rounding the upper back: Avoid hunching by keeping your chest up and shoulders pulled back throughout the entire pulling motion.
  • ×Using momentum: Do not jerk or swing your body to complete the pull; instead, perform the movement with deliberate, controlled muscle contraction.
  • ×Shrugging the shoulder: Prevent your working shoulder from elevating towards your ear by actively depressing your shoulder blade as you pull.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles does Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row work?
Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row primarily targets Infraspinatus, Latissimus Dorsi, Teres Major, Teres Minor, Trapezius Lower Fibers, Trapezius Middle Fibers. Secondary muscles include Brachialis, Brachioradialis, Deltoid Posterior.
Is Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row good for beginners?
Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row is rated intermediate. Beginners can still attempt it with lighter weight and careful form, but it's best to master easier variations first.
What equipment do I need for Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row?
You need Body weight to perform Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row. If you don't have this equipment, look for variations that target the same muscles with what you have available.
What are the best tips for Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row?
Initiate the movement by squeezing your shoulder blade towards your spine before bending your elbow to maximize back muscle engagement. Adjust the exercise difficulty by moving your feet: step further away from the anchor point to increase the challenge, or closer to make it easier. Maintain a strong, braced core throughout the entire movement to prevent torso rotation and protect your lower back. Focus on a slow and controlled eccentric (lowering) phase to maximize time under tension and enhance muscle growth.
What are common mistakes when doing Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row?
Rounding the upper back: Avoid hunching by keeping your chest up and shoulders pulled back throughout the entire pulling motion. Using momentum: Do not jerk or swing your body to complete the pull; instead, perform the movement with deliberate, controlled muscle contraction. Shrugging the shoulder: Prevent your working shoulder from elevating towards your ear by actively depressing your shoulder blade as you pull.

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Bodyweight Standing One Arm Row

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