Smith Narrow Row

Sit on the bench with the barbell in front of you. Grasp the barbell with an overhand grip. Keep your back straight and core engaged. Pull the barbell toward your abdomen, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Slowly lower the barbell back to the starting position. Repeat for desired number of repetitions.

How to perform the Smith Narrow Row

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Smith Narrow Row using your smith machine.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your rhomboids.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your rhomboids rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

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