Exercise guide
Landmine One Arm Bent Over Row
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
This unilateral compound movement targets the lats and mid-back while improving core stability and grip strength. The fixed arc of the landmine provides a unique path of resistance that allows for a deep stretch and a powerful contraction in the peak position.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Stand perpendicular to the barbell with your feet shoulder-width apart or in a staggered stance for better stability.
- Hinge at the hips until your torso is nearly parallel to the floor, keeping your back flat and core engaged.
- Grip the thick end of the barbell sleeve with one hand using a neutral or slightly overhand grip.
- Place your non-working hand on your thigh or a nearby bench to stabilize your torso.
How to do it
- Exhale and pull the weight toward your hip, driving your elbow back and keeping it close to your ribcage.
- Squeeze your shoulder blade toward your spine at the top of the movement to maximize muscle fiber recruitment.
- Inhale and slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position, allowing for a full stretch in the lat without dropping the shoulder.
- Maintain a controlled tempo, focusing on a 2-second eccentric (lowering) phase.
Form checklist
- Keep your spine neutral and avoid rounding your lower back or craning your neck.
- Prevent your torso from rotating toward the pulling side; keep your shoulders square to the floor.
- Ensure your weight is distributed evenly through your feet to maintain a stable base.
- Pull the weight toward your hip rather than your chest to emphasize the lats over the traps.
Pro tips
- Think of your hand as a hook and focus on pulling from the elbow to minimize bicep involvement.
- Use smaller diameter plates (like 25lb plates) to increase the range of motion and get a deeper stretch at the bottom.
Make it harder
- Add a 2-second isometric hold at the peak of the contraction to increase time under tension.
- Perform the exercise with a 'dead stop' by letting the weight settle on the floor between each rep to eliminate momentum.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the landmine one arm bent over row work?
- The landmine one arm bent over row primarily targets the lats and trapezius, and also works the abs and obliques as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the landmine one arm bent over row?
- The landmine one arm bent over row uses barbell.
- Is the landmine one arm bent over row good for beginners?
- The landmine one arm bent over row is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.