The renegade row exercise effectively works the upper back, the core, the shoulders and the arms too and you should definitely include it in the best home workout routine. It’s also a quiet exercise that’s ideal for shared living spaces and, of course, gyms. You can perform renegade rows as a bodyweight only exercise but for added resistance, feel free to use the best dumbbells or the best kettlebells too.
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Many of the best back exercises require the use of the best barbells (deadlifts), the best multi-gym/cable machine (lat pulldowns), great strength and the best pull up bar (pull ups) or the best weight bench (dumbbell rows). If you haven't got the best home gym setups including all the above equipment, you might want to get comfortable learning how to do renegade rows.
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How to do renegade rows
To perform a renegade row, drop to the ground and take up a high plank position: it's the same as the starting position for push ups. Hands under the shoulders, arms extended, body straight with the core engaged. Legs are slightly apart, this will help keep the body stabilised when you lift your hands up.
Keep the core engaged all the way through the movement and don't let the hips sag. If you find it too difficult to keep your body straight, drop your knees down on the floor.
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From the starting position, lift one hand up towards your shoulder and squeeze the shoulder blades together. Keep the movement slow and controlled and focus on the upper back muscles contracting. The more squeezed/engaged they are, the better. This is especially true for doing bodyweight only renegade rows.
Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
If you are following a push-pull workout routine, you should include renegade rows on pull days.
Renegade row alternatives
Bent over dumbbell row
Bent over row is an amazing exercise to strengthen the back and the biceps but it also works your grip too.
Rear delt fly/Reverse fly
This renegade row variety works the back of the shoulders, hence the 'delt' bit in the name and you can perform it bent over like in the video above or on an incline weight bench.
YTW raises
This bodyweight variation improves the shoulder mobility and strengthens the back of the shoulders too.
Superman waves
This move strengthens your lower as well as the upper back.
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