How to do a Hammerstrength Iso Row
Reviewed by JP Michelsen, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
About Hammerstrength Iso Row
Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)
Instructions for Proper Form
Hammerstrength High Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. This movement is fairly similar to other seated rows, however the Hammerstrength Machine will restrict your range of motion to an arc, rather than a straight line. The machine also adds stability to the movement, which allows you to focus your attention on exertion rather than stability.
- Sit upright in a hammerstrength iso row machine with your chest pressed against the support pad.
- Grab ahold of the handles in either an overhand or neutral grip.
- Brace your core to keep your spine upright and neutral.
- Keep your shoulders relaxed as you flex your elbows past your sides at a 45 degree angle from your torso until the handles reach your torso.
- Return the bar to the starting position.
Common Form Mistakes
Hammerstrength Equipment
Sit back, and keep your shoulder blades against the pad. Hammerstrength equipment is designed to help you get into the correct position. If you’re sitting forward, and pulling your back off the pad, you may be compromising the effectiveness of the exercise, or modifying it to be a different variation entirely.
Over Recruiting Biceps
While your biceps should be involved, you should be feeling a majority of the tension in your back. Try focusing on driving your elbow back instead of bringing the weight towards your chest. This mindset shift will help you recruit the proper muscle groups for this exercise.
Weight & 1 Rep Max Calculator
Average Hammerstrength Iso Row standards by male, female, weight, age and height
Use this calculator to see Fitbod's possible first recommendations for you. This would be your starting line, based on more than 4.5 billion logged sets from 1.1 million users.
- beginner8reps45lbs1 Rep Max55lbs
- intermediate8reps60lbs75lbs
- advanced8reps75lbs95lbs
Enter your stats to calculate your Reps & Weight
Alternative Exercises to Hammerstrength Iso Row
1. Cable Row
99.8 mSCORESWAPPED 11,197 TIMESCable Row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders and biceps. This exercise is often done with a specific cable machine that sets you into the perfect position, but you can also use an adjustable cable to have more control over the direction your resistance is coming from. This is a great exercise for building muscle mass and strength in your back, and is a common addition to most upper body or pull workouts.
2. Machine Row
95.6 mSCORESWAPPED 10,783 TIMESLike other row variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. Unlike other variations, using a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds a ton of stability to the movement. This is excellent exercise for learning or practicing the movement of a seated row.
- Beginner
- Back
- Row Machine
3. Hammerstrength High Row
91.5 mSCORESWAPPED 6,692 TIMESHammerstrength High Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. This movement is somewhere in between a Lat Pull Down and a Seated Row. The Hammerstrength Machine helps restrict your range of motion by moving on a set path, and adds a ton of stability to the movement. This is a great exercise for building strength, and the use of a machine allows you to focus more of your efforts on exertion rather than form.
- Beginner
- Back
- Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)
4. Lat Pulldown
100 mSCORESWAPPED 6,583 TIMESThis compound exercise primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps. The movement itself is based on a Pull Up, however, by locking your legs into place, you can add significantly more stability to the movement making it easier to complete a rep, as well as getting control over the resistance. This exercise can be easily adapted to meet your needs with different handles.
- Beginner
- Back
- Lat Pulldown
5. Dumbbell Row
99.9 mSCORESWAPPED 5,395 TIMESThis compound movement primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps, as well as requiring some core activation for stability. By bracing yourself on the flat bench, you can position your torso parallel to the ground, without needing specific equipment. This is a great exercise with or without limited equipment, and a staple in many back workouts.
6. Dumbbell Bent Over Row
94.4 mSCORESWAPPED 2,485 TIMESDumbbell Bent Over Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets the back, but also hits biceps. The use of dumbbells helps prevent compensating for any discrepancies in strength between sides, as well as adds more instability to the movement compared to equipment like barbells. This can be a great addition to any back workout for building muscle mass and strength.
7. Bent Over Barbell Row
97.1 mSCORESWAPPED 2,435 TIMESBent Over Barbell row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders, traps, and biceps. The use of a barbell adds more stability to this movement compared to something like dumbbells which can help you focus on exerting strength rather than stabilizing the movement. It’s a great exercise for building strength, and can be a way to start learning more advanced exercises like Olympic Lifts.
8. T-Bar Row
81.2 mSCORESWAPPED 2,371 TIMEST-Bar Row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back but also engages the shoulders and biceps. By using a T-Bar, you have a more stable grip and can lift heavier weights compared to other row variations. The fixed bar path helps maintain proper form, making this exercise a great choice for building back strength and muscle mass.
- Intermediate
- Back
- T Bar
9. Shotgun Row
84.6 mSCORESWAPPED 1,924 TIMESShotgun Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets the back. The use of a cable machine gives you control over the direction your resistance is coming from. This makes this a great exercise for adding some variety to your rows. By targeting each side independently, you help prevent any compensating for strength discrepancies between sides. You can easily adapt this exercise by adjusting the pulley on the cable machine to target more specific functional applications.
- Intermediate
- Back
- Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
10. Reverse Grip Pull Down
91 mSCORESWAPPED 1,775 TIMESThe Reverse Grip Pull Down is a compound exercise that primarily targets the latissimus dorsi but shifts more focus towards the lower lats and biceps due to the underhand grip. This variation can be easier on the wrists and elbows than the traditional overhand grip and allows for a closer grip, enhancing the activation of the targeted muscles. It's particularly beneficial for those seeking to increase the thickness of their lower lats and improve overall back strength and aesthetics.
- Beginner
- Back
- Lat Pulldown