Bent-Over Row with Towel
The bent-over row with a towel held taut between the hands instead of a weight; pulling the ends apart while rowing makes the upper back work with no load at all.
How to do it
Setup
Hinge to about 45°, back flat, knees soft, a towel held taut shoulder-width with straight arms.
Steps
- Pull the towel ends apart and row the elbows back past the ribs.
- Squeeze the shoulder blades together at the top.
- Lower to straight arms with the towel still taut.
Common mistakes
Rowing without spreading the towel: the tension is the load; keep pulling it apart. Standing up with each row: the hinge stays fixed. Shrugging toward the ears: blades back and down.
Breathing
Exhale on the row, inhale lowering.
