EZ Bar Row - Bent Over Wide Grip

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 8-12 Reps, 80 Wght

Intermediate Traps Lats Triceps Posterior Delts Strength EZ Bar Pull Compound Gym

Purpose: This is a good exercise for increasing strength and size in the upper back.

Benefits: This exercise is a strong, effective free weight back exercise for building muscle mass and size of the lats.

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Hold the EZ bar with an overhand grip (palms facing inward) wider than shoulder-width. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the bar hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. This is the starting position. Lift the weight straight up toward your waist. Your elbows should flare out to the sides (not forward or back). Hold for a second at the top, feeling the lift from the lats and the traps (not the shoulders and arms) and squeeze the scapula together. Exhale during this movement. Lower the weight slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Repeat for the required number of repetitions.


There are a number of muscles in the back, although the two major muscles are the lats and traps. The lats pulls the arm back and down towards the spine. The traps pull the shoulder blades back and towards the spine.

Step 1

Bend over, holding an EZ Bar.

ez-bar-row-bent-over-wide-grip-step-0

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Hold the EZ bar with an overhand grip (palms facing inward) wider than shoulder-width. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the bar hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Lift the bar to your waist, feeling the lift in the lats and traps.

ez-bar-row-bent-over-wide-grip-step-1

Lift the weight straight up toward your waist. Your elbows should flare out to the sides (not forward or back). Hold for a second at the top, feeling the lift from the lats and the traps (not the shoulders and arms) and squeeze the scapula together. Exhale during this movement.

Step 3

Lower the weight slowly to the starting position.

ez-bar-row-bent-over-wide-grip-step-2

Lower the weight slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Hold the EZ bar with an overhand grip wider than shoulder-width. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the bar hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats.