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Exercise Comparison

Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row vs Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row

Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row - starting position
Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row - ending position
Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
beginner·Barbell·compound
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row - starting position
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row - ending position
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
beginner·Dumbbell·compound

Side-by-Side

Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
VS
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
beginner
Level
beginner
Barbell
Equipment
Dumbbell
compound
Mechanic
compound
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
middle back
Primary
middle back
bicepslatslower backtraps
Secondary
bicepslatsshoulders

Muscle Analysis

Shared

middle backbicepslats

Only in Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row

lower backtraps

Only in Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row

shoulders

Instructions

Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row

1

Put weight on one of the ends of an Olympic barbell. Make sure that you either place the other end of the barbell in the corner of two walls; or put a heavy object on the ground so the barbell cannot slide backward.

2

Bend forward until your torso is as close to parallel with the floor as you can and keep your knees slightly bent.

3

Now grab the bar with one arm just behind the plates on the side where the weight was placed and put your other hand on your knee. This will be your starting position.

4

Pull the bar straight up with your elbow in (to maximize back stimulation) until the plates touch your lower chest. Squeeze the back muscles as you lift the weight up and hold for a second at the top of the movement. Breathe out as you lift the weight. Tip: Do not allow for any swinging of the torso. Only the arm should move.

5

Slowly lower the bar to the starting position getting a nice stretch on the lats. Tip: Do not let the plates touch the floor. To ensure the best range of motion, I recommend using small plates (25-lb ones) as opposed to larger plates (like 35-45lb ones).

6

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and switch arms.

Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row

1

With a dumbbell in each hand (palms facing your torso), bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward by bending at the waist; as you bend make sure to keep your back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up. The weights should hang directly in front of you as your arms hang perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.

2

While keeping the torso stationary, lift the dumbbells to your side (as you breathe out), keeping the elbows close to the body (do not exert any force with the forearm other than holding the weights). On the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a second.

3

Slowly lower the weight again to the starting position as you inhale.

4

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the middle back. Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row is beginner and uses dumbbell. Choose Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row if you have access to barbell, or Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row if you prefer dumbbell.

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