Exercise Comparison
Bent Over Barbell Row vs Mixed Grip Chin




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.
Mixed Grip Chin
Using a spacing that is just about 1 inch wider than shoulder width, grab a pull-up bar with the palms of one hand facing forward and the palms of the other hand facing towards you. This will be your starting position.
Now start to pull yourself up as you exhale. Tip: With the arm that has the palms facing up concentrate on using the back muscles in order to perform the movement. The elbow of that arm should remain close to the torso. With the other arm that has the palms facing forward, the elbows will be away but in line with the torso. You will concentrate on using the lats to pull your body up.
After a second contraction at the top, start to slowly come down as you inhale.
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
On the following set, switch grips; so if you had the right hand with the palms facing you and the left one with the palms facing forward, on the next set you will have the palms facing forward for the right hand and facing you for the left.
Verdict
Both exercises target the middle back. Bent Over Barbell Row is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Mixed Grip Chin is expert and uses other. Choose Bent Over Barbell Row if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Mixed Grip Chin for a greater challenge.