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Inverted Row on Bench
An inverted row with the feet elevated on a bench, shifting more bodyweight onto the upper back for a harder horizontal pull.
BackBodyweightHorizontal pull
GoLightWeight mediainverted-row-on-bench
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Latissimus dorsiRhomboids
Secondary
BicepsRear deltoidsMiddle trapeziusCore
Equipment
Bodyweight
Pattern
Horizontal pull
Setup
- 01Set a bar in a rack at roughly hip height and place a flat bench behind you.
- 02Grip the bar slightly wider than shoulder width and place both heels on the bench.
- 03Straighten the body so shoulders, hips, and heels form one line.
- 04Set the shoulder blades down and back before pulling.
Execution
- 01Brace hard through the trunk and glutes to hold the elevated line.
- 02Pull the chest to the bar by driving the elbows down and back.
- 03Pause with the shoulder blades fully squeezed at the top.
- 04Lower to a dead hang at straight arms under control.
Checkpoints
- -Hips stay level with the line between shoulders and heels.
- -Torso stays roughly horizontal, making the pull near vertical to gravity.
- -Chest contacts the bar without the chin poking forward.
- -Heels press lightly into the bench without kicking.
Common mistakes
- -Letting the hips sag into a banana shape.
- -Cutting range short as fatigue builds.
- -Kipping off the bench to start each rep.
- -Losing shoulder blade tension at the bottom.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 4 sets of 6 to 12 reps once flat-footed inverted rows exceed 15 reps.
- -Add a plate on the hips or slow the eccentric to keep progressing.
- -Works well as a horizontal pull on days without cable or barbell access.
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