TETSUBarbell Incline Row vs One Arm Towel Row
The Barbell Incline Row and the One Arm Towel Row both train the upper back as their primary muscle. The Barbell Incline Row uses a barbell while the One Arm Towel Row is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Incline Row | One Arm Towel Row | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | upper back | upper back |
| Body part | back | back |
| Supporting muscles | biceps and forearms | biceps and forearms |
| Equipment | barbell | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 7 | 6 |
How each one starts
Barbell Incline Row — first steps
- Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
- Lie face down on the bench with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the ground.
One Arm Towel Row — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hold a towel with one hand.
- Bend forward at the waist, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Incline Row lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The One Arm Towel Row needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the upper back adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Incline Row better than the One Arm Towel Row?
Neither is universally better — both train the upper back as the primary mover. The Barbell Incline Row lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the One Arm Towel Row needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Barbell Incline Row and the One Arm Towel Row in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the upper back. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Barbell Incline Row and the One Arm Towel Row work the same muscles?
Yes — the primary muscle is the same (upper back) and both rely on the same supporting muscles: biceps and forearms.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.