All Exercises

One Arm Towel Row

Build powerful back and bicep strength with the one-arm towel row. This bodyweight exercise enhances grip and core stability, perfect for functional

Intermediate
Compound
Pull
1 min per set30s rest

Description

A strength exercise where you pull a towel with one hand while providing resistance with the other. Great for building strength in the back and biceps.

How to Do One Arm Towel Row

  1. 1
    Setup

    Drape a sturdy towel over a secure anchor point at chest height, such as a door frame or pole, ensuring both ends are even.

  2. 2
    Setup

    Stand facing the anchor, grasping one end of the towel firmly with your working hand and the other end with your non-working hand to provide resistance. Take a small step back to create initial tension.

  3. 3

    Lean back slightly, allowing your working arm to fully extend and your back muscles to stretch. Keep your core braced and chest lifted, maintaining a straight line from head to heels.

  4. 4

    Initiate the pull by retracting your shoulder blade and bending your elbow, pulling your body towards the anchor point. Squeeze your back muscles at the peak of the contraction, maintaining consistent resistance with your non-working hand.

  5. 5

    Slowly and with control, extend your working arm back to the starting position, resisting the pull of your non-working hand. Complete the desired repetitions before switching sides.

Tips

  • Focus on initiating the pull with your back muscles, imagining you're driving your elbow towards your hip, rather than just using your bicep.
  • Adjust the difficulty by varying the resistance from your non-working hand; pull harder for more challenge, or less for an easier movement.
  • Maintain a rigid torso throughout the exercise by engaging your glutes and core, preventing any sagging of the hips or arching of the lower back.
  • Control the eccentric (lowering) phase for 2-3 seconds to maximize time under tension and enhance muscle growth in your back and biceps.

Common Mistakes

  • ×Rounding the back during the pull reduces lat activation; keep your chest proud and shoulder blades retracted to engage the target muscles effectively.
  • ×Using momentum to swing your body through the movement diminishes muscle engagement; perform each repetition with deliberate, controlled muscle contraction.
  • ×Letting the towel snap back without control negates eccentric benefits; actively resist the return to the starting position to build strength through the full range of motion.

Variations

Related Exercises

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