Exercise Comparison
Bent Over Barbell Row vs Bodyweight Mid Row




Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Bent Over Barbell Row
Instructions
Bent Over Barbell Row
Holding a barbell with a pronated grip (palms facing down), 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. The barbell should hang directly in front of you as your arms hang perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.
Now, while keeping the torso stationary, breathe out and lift the barbell to you. Keep the elbows close to the body and only use the forearms to hold the weight. At the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a brief pause.
Then inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Bodyweight Mid Row
Begin by taking a medium to wide grip on a pull-up apparatus with your palms facing away from you. From a hanging position, tuck your knees to your chest, leaning back and getting your legs over your side of the pull-up apparatus. This will be your starting position.
Beginning with your arms straight, flex the elbows and retract the shoulder blades to raise your body up until your legs contact the pull-up apparatus.
After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Verdict
Both exercises target the middle back. Bent Over Barbell Row is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Bodyweight Mid Row is intermediate and uses other. Choose Bent Over Barbell Row if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Bodyweight Mid Row for a greater challenge.