How to Do One-Arm Long Bar Row
Start and end of one clean rep of One-Arm Long Bar Row.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Back |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Biceps |
| Equipment | Barbell |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform One-Arm Long Bar Row
- Position a bar into a landmine or in a corner to keep it from moving. Load an appropriate weight onto your end.
- Stand next to the bar, and take a grip with one hand close to the collar. Using your hips and legs, rise to a standing position.
- Assume a bent-knee stance with your hips back and your chest up. Your arm should be extended. This will be your starting position.
- Pull the weight to your side by retracting the shoulder and flexing the elbow. Do not jerk the weight or cheat during the movement.
- After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Muscles worked
- Back (primary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
- Biceps (secondary): bends the elbow and turns the palm up during pulls and curls.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Start each rep by pulling the shoulder blades in first, then drive with the elbows — think of pulling with the elbows, not the hands.
- Keep the bar path close and stacked over your mid-foot; letting it drift forward wastes force and loads the lower back.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Yanking with the arms and forgetting the back, so the biceps give out before the target muscle does.
- Loading the bar heavier than your form allows and turning strict reps into a whole-body heave.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does One-Arm Long Bar Row work?
One-Arm Long Bar Row mainly works the back, with the biceps helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for One-Arm Long Bar Row?
One-Arm Long Bar Row needs a barbell and plates (plus a rack or bench where the movement calls for one).
How many sets and reps should I do for One-Arm Long Bar Row?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Train One-Arm Long Bar Row with a coach in your pocket
Gimmy is your AI gym buddy — it programs One-Arm Long Bar Row into recovery-aware workouts, tracks your sets, and shows one score that tells you if it's working.
Get early access