One-Arm Rows with a Bench

One arm row isolates these areas, and in this free video, Leah Zahner, Certified Personal Trainer (NASM), explains that working one arm at a time with a knee on the bench and engaging your core makes it easier to isolate the upper body muscles than an upright row.

Step 1

Standing sideways to the bench, take one knee and kneel on the bench.

Step 2

Hinge forward pressing your hand into the pad of the bench. Press down into the floor with your supporting leg, keeping your knee soft.

Step 3

Reach down and pull the dumbbell up into your starting position.

Keys to the starting position are:

– Flat back
– Shoulders square and even
– Abs engaged

Step 4

Squeezing your shoulders blades together, pull the dumbbell up towards your chest. Hold for a moment and control the return back into the starting position.

10–15 reps is the goal. If you are unable to control every rep, lower the dumbbell’s weight. The key is to stay in good form. Over time, you’ll be able to increase the weight of the dumbbell. Remember to do both arms to avoid imbalance.

For more row exercises, check out “Dumbbell and Barbell Upright Rows” and “Bent Over Barbell Rows.”