Exercise Comparison
Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row vs Two-Arm Kettlebell Row
Side-by-Side
Muscle Analysis
Shared
Only in Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
Instructions
Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
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.
Bend forward until your torso is as close to parallel with the floor as you can and keep your knees slightly bent.
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.
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.
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).
Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and switch arms.
Two-Arm Kettlebell Row
Place two kettlebells in front of your feet. Bend your knees slightly and then push your butt out as much as possible as you bend over to get in the starting position.
Grab both kettlebells and pull them to your stomach, retracting your shoulder blades and flexing the elbows. Keep your back straight. Lower and repeat.
Verdict
Both exercises target the middle back. Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row is a beginner exercise using barbell, while Two-Arm Kettlebell Row is intermediate and uses kettlebells. Choose Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row if you're looking for a more accessible option, or Two-Arm Kettlebell Row for a greater challenge.