10 EZ Bar Reverse-Grip Bent-Over Row Alternatives for Limited Gear

The EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row is done standing with an EZ bar. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Row, the Barbell Bent Over Row and the Barbell Pendlay Row.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row

EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over RowPlay demonstration
Primary muscle
Upper Back
Equipment
Ez-barbell
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Biceps, Forearms

How to perform EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
  2. Hold the ez barbell with an underhand grip, palms facing up, and hands shoulder-width apart.
  3. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and chest up, until your torso is almost parallel to the floor.
  4. Pull the ez barbell towards your lower chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the ez barbell back to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Filter EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row alternatives by your equipmentTell us what you have and we'll hide exercises you can't do.

Quick presets

Equipment you can use
20 more equipment types

Sign in to remember your equipment on every page.

Ranked EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Best match
    Dumbbell Reverse Grip RowPlay demonstration

    1. Dumbbell Reverse Grip Row

    99% match
    • Upper Back
    • Dumbbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have dumbbells to work with, and it still works the upper back.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip, palms facing your body.
    3. Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    4. Let your arms hang straight down, fully extended, with a slight bend in your elbows.
    5. Pull the dumbbells up towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  2. Barbell Bent Over RowPlay demonstration

    2. Barbell Bent Over Row

    96% match
    • Upper Back
    • Barbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have a barbell to work with, and it still works the upper back.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
    2. Bend forward at the hips while keeping your back straight and chest up.
    3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Pull the barbell towards your lower chest by retracting your shoulder blades and squeezing your back muscles.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: bent-over row, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  3. Barbell Pendlay RowPlay demonstration

    3. Barbell Pendlay Row

    95% match
    • Upper Back
    • Barbell
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your chest up.
    3. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Pull the barbell towards your upper abdomen, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: bent-over row, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  4. Kettlebell Two Arm RowPlay demonstration

    4. Kettlebell Two Arm Row

    95% match
    • Upper Back
    • Kettlebell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have a kettlebell to work with, and it still works the upper back.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a kettlebell in each hand with your palms facing your body.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Pull the kettlebells up towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    4. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the kettlebells back down to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  5. Kettlebell Alternating RowPlay demonstration

    5. Kettlebell Alternating Row

    88% match
    • Upper Back
    • Kettlebell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    Pick this when you want to work the upper back one side at a time.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a kettlebell in each hand with your palms facing your body.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
    3. Pull one kettlebell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    4. Lower the kettlebell back down to the starting position and repeat with the other arm.
    5. Continue alternating arms for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  6. Lever One Arm Bent Over RowPlay demonstration

    6. Lever One Arm Bent Over Row

    88% match
    • Upper Back
    • Barbell
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a barbell with an overhand grip.
    2. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your head up.
    3. Let the barbell hang in front of you with your arms fully extended.
    4. Pull the barbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body.
    5. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement.
    6. Lower the barbell back down to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: bent-over row, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: free weights, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  7. Lever Reverse T-Bar RowPlay demonstration

    7. Lever Reverse T-Bar Row

    88% match
    • Upper Back
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A good swap when you have a lever machine to work with, and it still works the upper back.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the seat height and footplate position on the leverage machine.
    2. Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the footplate.
    3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    4. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
    5. Pull the handles towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly release and extend your arms back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: a machine, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  8. Lever T-Bar Reverse Grip RowPlay demonstration

    8. Lever T-Bar Reverse Grip Row

    88% match
    • Upper Back
    • Lever
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the seat height and position yourself on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the floor.
    2. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Keep your back straight and engage your core.
    4. Pull the handles towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    5. Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly release and extend your arms back to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: a machine, not free weights
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  9. Smith Reverse Grip Bent Over RowPlay demonstration

    9. Smith Reverse Grip Bent Over Row

    86% match
    • Upper Back
    • Smith-machine
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Set up the smith machine with the bar at hip height.
    2. Stand facing the bar with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight.
    4. Grasp the bar with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
    5. Pull the bar towards your lower chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the bar back down to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: bent-over row, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: a machine, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
  10. ElevatorPlay demonstration

    10. Elevator

    85% match
    • Upper Back
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
    2. Place your hands on your hips or cross them in front of your chest.
    3. Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your upper body towards the ground.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly raise your upper body back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
    • Body position: standing, the same as the EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row

Why You Might Need an EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row Alternative

You might substitute the EZ bar reverse-grip row for equipment, pain, or programming reasons. A supinated EZ grip increases biceps and wrist stress; if you have elbow or wrist irritation, a neutral or pronated alternative reduces loading on those joints. Lack of an EZ bar or limited rack space also forces substitutions. Rehab or unilateral focus may push you toward single-arm rows to correct left-right strength gaps. When replacing it, keep a neutral spine, hinge at the hips, and pull the elbows toward the hips to maintain the same upper-back activation (rhomboids, mid-traps, posterior delts) while minimizing lumbar shear.

EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row FAQ

Can I build muscle without doing EZ Bar Reverse Grip Bent Over Row?

Yes, you can build upper-back mass using alternatives that reproduce the hinge and elbow-back pull, like single-arm dumbbell rows, chest-supported rows, and seated cables. Focus on progressive overload, full range of motion, and squeezing the scapulae at peak contraction to ensure comparable muscle stimulation.

Find Alternatives for Any Exercise

Search the exercise database and filter the ranked substitutes by the equipment you own.

Similarity scores compare exercise metadata such as movement pattern, muscles, equipment and body position. They are not a safety rating or a check that you own the equipment. Learn about our methodology