Lever High Row

Also known as: machine high row

Advanced

Upper Back

Leverage Machine

Built around a fixed machine groove, Lever High Row fits between vertical and horizontal pulls and builds a thicker, wider upper back.

How to do Lever High Row

Adjust the seat height and foot platform to a comfortable position.
Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the foot platform.
Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Keep your back straight and engage your core.
Pull the handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, then slowly release the handles back to the starting position.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

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Lever High Row Sets and Reps by Goal

Strength

5 sets of 2-4 reps with 3-5 minutes of rest. Match the seat and pad settings every session.

Hypertrophy

4-5 sets of 6-10 reps with 60-90 seconds of rest. Add one plate only when the full range stays smooth.

Endurance

3-4 sets of 18-25 reps with 30-45 seconds of rest. Control the return instead of letting the stack drop.

Common Lever High Row Mistakes

Ignoring seat and pad height between sessions

Write your settings down and reset them before the first rep.

Pulling with the arms before the shoulder blades move

Start each rep by drawing the shoulder blades together, then bend the elbows.

Cutting range to keep the load climbing

Protect the full range first; the load can wait a session.

Easier and Harder Than Lever High Row

Easier progression

Kettlebell Two Arm Row

Swap Lever High Row For

Inverted Row On Bench

Kettlebell One Arm Row

Cable One Arm Bent Over Row

Lever High Row — Frequently Asked Questions

How do you do the Lever High Row?

Adjust the seat height and foot platform to a comfortable position. Sit on the machine with your chest against the pad and your feet flat on the foot platform. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Use a leverage machine and keep the movement controlled through the full range. The animated GIF above shows the complete rep at normal speed.

What muscles does the Lever High Row work?

The Lever High Row primarily targets the upper back. It is classified as a back exercise and is performed with a leverage machine.

How many sets and reps of the Lever High Row should I do?

For muscle growth: 4-5 sets of 6-10 reps with 60-90 seconds of rest. Add one plate only when the full range stays smooth. Adjust the load rather than the rep target if form breaks down before the final rep.

Is the Lever High Row good for beginners?

Not usually. The Lever High Row is an advanced movement that assumes existing strength and joint control. Build up through easier back progressions first, then add this once the basics feel comfortable.

What can I do instead of the Lever High Row?

Try the Inverted Row On Bench, Kettlebell One Arm Row or the Cable One Arm Bent Over Row. Each trains the upper back with a similar movement pattern, so you can swap based on the equipment you have available.

Is the Lever High Row the same as the machine high row?

Yes. The Lever High Row is also commonly called the machine high row. Different gyms and training programs label it differently, but "machine high row" refer to this same movement.