Bent-Over Row with Barbell, Alternating Wide Grip Plus

Bent-Over Row with Barbell, Alternating Wide Grip Plus
English Name Wide Grip Alternate Barbell Bent Over Row Plus
Difficulty Advanced
Exercise Types کششی, پویا
Primary Muscle (EN) Latissimus Dorsi
Muscle GroupsBack muscles Trapezius
Workout TypeStrength training Stretching
Required equipmentBarbell

💠 Exercise guide

The Bent-Over Barbell Row Plus (Alternating Wide-Grip) is an advanced variation of the standard wide-grip barbell row. By incorporating a scapular activation phase and alternating arm movement, it places greater emphasis on scapular stabilization, engages the rhomboids and trapezius muscles more deeply, and enhances upper back control.

This exercise consists of three distinct phases:
1.Scapular activation (retracting the shoulder blades)
2.Row with the right arm
3.Row with the left arm
The movement is performed in an alternating manner, and one full repetition is completed only after both arms have returned to the starting position.

💠 How to perform the exercise

Bent-Over Row with Barbell, Alternating Wide Grip Plus

Preparation

✅ Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your knees slightly bent.
✅ Hinge at the hips until your torso is positioned at about a 45-degree angle forward.
✅ Hold the barbell with a wide, overhand grip (hands wider than shoulder width).

Execution method

Phase 1: Scapular Retraction
Without moving your arms, slowly squeeze your shoulder blades together. You should feel a strong contraction in your mid-back muscles.

Phase 2: Right-Arm Row
While maintaining scapular retraction, bend your right elbow and pull the barbell upward toward the lower part of your chest. Lower your right arm back down slowly.

Phase 3: Left-Arm Row
Immediately after lowering your right arm, pull the bar upward with your left arm along the same path. Once your left arm returns to the starting position, one full repetition is complete.

Coaching tips and recommendations

✔ Perform scapular retraction separately before initiating each arm pull.
✔ Keep your spine straight and stable throughout the movement.
✔ Focus on controlled motion rather than speed.
✔ Breathing: Inhale as you pull each arm up, exhale as you lower it down.

Benefits of the exercise

1️⃣ Combines back strengthening with improved scapular control
2️⃣ Increases thickness and strength of the mid and upper back muscles
3️⃣ Enhances muscular balance between the shoulder blades
4️⃣ Improves pulling control and helps reduce shoulder injuries
5️⃣ Supports performance in sports such as wrestling, gymnastics, and bodybuilding

💠 Muscles engaged in the movement

This stepwise approach—starting with scapular activation followed by alternating rows—effectively strengthens the larger back muscles while keeping the scapular stabilizers actively engaged.

Main muscles

Latissimus dorsi muscle
Latissimus Dorsi

Synergistic muscles

Trapezius muscle
Trapezius
Rhomboids
Rhomboids
Posterior Deltoid
Posterior Deltoid
Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Brachioradialis
Brachioradialis
Biceps Brachii
Biceps Brachii

Stabilizers

Erectos Spinae
Erectos Spinae
Abdominal Muscles
Abdominals
Engaged muscles

Latissimus dorsi muscle

Latissimus Dorsi Muscle

The latissimus dorsi is one of the strongest and widest superficial back muscles, playing a crucial role in pulling movements, backward bending, and internal rotation of the arm. It extends from the lower spine to the humerus and is responsible for generating pulling force in exercises like pull-ups, swimming, and rowing. Strengthening this muscle enhances pulling power, improves body posture, and reduces the risk of lower back and shoulder injuries.

Latissimus dorsi muscle | Lats

Trapezius muscle

Trapezius Muscle

The trapezius muscle is one of the most important superficial back muscles, extending from the occipital region to the middle of the back. It plays a key role in shoulder movements, scapular stabilization, and neck motions. Strengthening this muscle improves shoulder endurance, reduces neck pain, and enhances overall posture.

Trapezius muscle

Rhomboid Major Muscle

Rhomboid Major Muscle

The rhomboid major is one of the superficial muscles of the back, located between the spine and the scapula. It lies adjacent to the rhomboid minor muscle and is responsible for retracting the scapula towards the spine, stabilizing the shoulder, and assisting with scapular movements. Strengthening this muscle helps improve posture, prevent shoulder drooping, and reduce pain in the area between the shoulder blades.

Rhomboid Muscle

Deltoid Muscle

Deltoideus Muscle

🔹 The deltoid muscle is one of the most important and voluminous muscles of the shoulder region. Its primary function is to move the arm in various directions and stabilize the shoulder joint. Due to its triangular shape, it is named “deltoid,” derived from the Greek word “Δέλτα” (delta), meaning triangle.

🔹 The deltoid muscle is divided into three distinct heads, each playing a specific role in shoulder movement. The anterior head assists in forward motions and arm flexion, the middle head is responsible for abduction and lifting the arm, and the posterior head supports extension and movements behind the body. This muscle is essential for the stability and strength of the shoulder joint, and its weakness can lead to limited range of motion, reduced shoulder power, and an increased risk of injury.

Deltoid Muscle

Muscle training

Pelank is a comprehensive encyclopedia of the body’s muscles, providing an accurate and scientific review of all muscles. Below, you can find muscle groups. By clicking on each muscle group, you will have access to complete information about it, including:

1️⃣ Basic information about the muscle
2️⃣ Muscle anatomy
3️⃣ Muscle physiology
4️⃣ Innervation and blood supply
5️⃣ Importance of the muscle in the body and sports
6️⃣ Strengthening exercises
7️⃣ Scientific and interesting facts

📌 At the end, a summary review of each muscle will be provided.

Body muscles training guide link

🔹 The muscle group engaged in this movement is highlighted in color.

References

Anatomy and medical books :

Sports and training references :

  • Strength Training Anatomy by Frederic Delavier
  • Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning by NSCA
  • Well-known articles and training programs by international coaches

Medical databases :

  • PubMed (for scientific and research articles)
  • MedlinePlus (health and medical information)
  • WebMD (for practical and general health information)

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