Exercise Guide

Towel Row

A row hanging off a towel looped round something solid. The hotel-room back workout.

BeginnerStrengthPullCompound
Form
Towel Row - Start position
Start
Towel Row - Mid position
Mid
Towel Row - End position
End

Illustrations by Bryl Lim for Workout Guide, after Everkinetic. Used unchanged under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Details

Primary Muscle

Middle Back

Equipment

Other

Difficulty

Beginner

Category

Strength

Force

Pull

Mechanic

Compound

Secondary Muscles

BicepsCore
How to Perform
  1. 1

    Loop a strong towel around a secure anchor - a door handle on the far side, or a post.

  2. 2

    Grip an end in each hand and walk your feet forward, leaning back with your arms straight.

  3. 3

    Pull your chest toward your hands, driving your elbows back.

  4. 4

    Lower under control until your arms are straight.

Tips
  • Test the anchor with your full weight before you start a set.
  • Walking your feet forward increases the load; do that before adding reps.
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