Exercise Library / Back

T-Bar Row

How to do the T-Bar Row with proper form, and the muscles it works.

Muscle group
Back
Primary muscles
Middle back
Secondary muscles
Biceps and lats
Equipment
Machine
Type
Compound
Level
Intermediate

Video: “How to PROPERLY Machine T-Bar Row (FIX YOUR FORM)” by Colossus Fitness on YouTube.

How to do the T-Bar Row

  1. Load up the T-bar Row Machine with the desired weight and adjust the leg height so that your upper chest is at the top of the pad. Tip: In some machines all you can do is stand on the appropriate step that allows you to be at a height that has the upper chest at the top of the pad.
  2. Lay face down on the pad and grab the handles. You can either use a palms down, palms up, or palms in position depending on what part of your back you want to emphasize.
  3. Lift the bar off the rack and extend your arms in front of you. This will be your starting position.
  4. As you exhale slowly pull the weight up and squeeze your back at the top of the movement. Tip: Keep the upper arms as close to the torso as possible throughout the movement in order to better engage the back muscles. Also, do not lift your body off of the pad at any time and refrain from using the biceps to lift the weight.
  5. After a second contraction at the top of the movement, as you inhale, slowly go back down to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

The T-Bar Row mainly works your middle back, with help from your biceps and lats.

T-Bar Row start and finish positions

T-Bar Row: Starting position
Starting position
T-Bar Row: Ending position
Ending position

Track your T-Bar Row progress

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