Exercise library / Middle back
Smith Machine Bent Over Row
- Main muscles
- Middle back
- Also works
- Biceps, Lats, Shoulders
- Equipment
- Machine
- Level
- Beginner
- Type
- Compound · Pull
How to do it
- Set the barbell attached to the smith machine to a height that is about 2 inches below your knees.
- Bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward, by bending at the waist, while keeping the back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up.
- Now grasp the barbell using an overhand (pronated) grip and unlock it from the smith machine rack. Then let it hang directly in front of you as your arms hang extended perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.
- While keeping the torso stationary, lift the barbell as you breathe out, keeping the elbows close to the body and not doing any force with the forearm other than holding the weights. On the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a second.
- Slowly lower the weight again to the starting position as you inhale.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Quick answers
- What muscles does the Smith Machine Bent Over Row work?
- Mainly the middle back, with help from the biceps, lats, shoulders.
- What equipment do I need?
- Machine.
- Is it good for beginners?
- Yes, it is rated beginner level.
- How do I track progress on it?
- Log each set and beat the weight or reps from last time. Liftrung shows your last set beside the next one and estimates your one-rep max from your sets.
More middle back exercises
- Leverage High Row
- Lying T-Bar Row
- Alternating Kettlebell Row
- Alternating Renegade Row
- Bent Over Barbell Row
- Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
Exercise descriptions: free-exercise-db, public domain.