Barbell Bent-Over Row vs Machine Chest Supported Row Strength Standards

Bent Over Row vs Machine Chest Supported Row Strength Standards

The paired standards below show what the barbell bent-over row and machine chest supported row each require at the same strength level. They are separate exercise targets rather than a prescribed difference between your lifts.

Select the appropriate sex table and nearest bodyweight, then choose a strength-level column. Values are ordered Bent-Over Row / Machine Chest Supported Row in pounds with kilograms underneath. The calculator above handles exact bodyweight and set inputs.

Men’s Bent-Over Row vs Machine Chest Supported Row Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

Women’s Bent-Over Row vs Machine Chest Supported Row Standards

How to read the table: Find the closest bodyweight, then use the labeled exercise row. Every strength-level entry shows one target with pounds first and kilograms beneath it.

How Your Bent Over Row vs Machine Chest Supported Row Result Is Calculated

The calculator estimates both one-rep maxes, rates each one against its exercise and bodyweight standards, and then compares the two ratings.

1. Estimate a one-rep max from each set

The entered weight is used directly for one rep. With 2–12 reps, both estimates are compared and the lower value is used.

• Epley: weight × (1 + reps ÷ 30)
• Brzycki: weight × 36 ÷ (37 − reps)

For the most useful Bent Over Row vs Machine Chest Supported Row comparison, enter clean, difficult sets performed with the same technique and range of motion you use in training. Lower-rep sets usually require less extrapolation.

2. Find the barbell bent-over row strength level

The standards use the sex-specific total-barbell thresholds from the individual tool. Targets begin at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women, then adjust to exact bodyweight with reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

The target rises more slowly than bodyweight so larger lifters are expected to row more without pound-for-pound scaling.

3. Find the machine chest supported row strength level

The machine chest supported row rating uses its sex-specific exercise standards. Reference targets at 190 lb for men and 150 lb for women are scaled to the entered bodyweight by reference target × (user bodyweight ÷ reference bodyweight) to the two-thirds power.

Two-thirds scaling raises the target as bodyweight rises while limiting the size advantage that a direct one-to-one adjustment would create.

4. Compare the two results

The lift with the lower Beginner-to-Elite rating is the priority. If both ratings match, the calculator requires a 10-point difference in next-level progress before naming a priority; otherwise it reports Balanced.

Treat the result as a training comparison rather than an explanation of why one lift trails. Set quality, fatigue, skill, and training exposure all matter. Age range is recorded anonymously but does not change these standards.

The calculator above applies these steps to your exact entries and reports both lift ratings, both next targets, and the final comparison.

How Men’s Bent Over Row and Machine Chest Supported Row Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Machine Chest Supported Row standard minus the Bent-Over Row standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Machine Chest Supported Row standard is higher, and below zero means the Bent-Over Row standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

How Women’s Bent Over Row and Machine Chest Supported Row Standards Differ

How to read this chart: Choose a strength level and follow its line across bodyweight. Values show the Machine Chest Supported Row standard minus the Bent-Over Row standard: zero means equal, above zero means the Machine Chest Supported Row standard is higher, and below zero means the Bent-Over Row standard is higher. Swipe horizontally on mobile. Use the standards table for exact lb/kg targets.

Bent Over Row and Machine Chest Supported Row Exercises Used by This Calculator

Compare like-for-like attempts by keeping the barbell bent-over row and machine chest supported row setup consistent with their individual rules. Use strict, repeatable Bent Over Row and Machine Chest Supported Row tests that follow each exercise’s setup, range of motion, equipment, and load rules. Do not mix variations, assistance, partial range, momentum, or different load conventions.

Use the Barbell Bent-Over Row setup and load convention

Barbell starts from a dead hang below the shoulders. Torso is hinged forward and remains roughly near-parallel to the floor. Knees are slightly bent, hips are hinged, and the spine stays neutral. Bar is pulled to the lower ribs or upper abdomen each rep. Arms extend fully at the bottom of each rep. No torso heaving, hip snap, or body English. Consistent torso angle and bar path are required across tests. No Pendlay rows, Yates rows, cheat rows, T-bar rows, Smith machine rows, machine rows, partial range variants, or equipped lifting standards. Estimated 1RM is calculated from the entered load and reps.

Use the Machine Chest Supported Row setup and load convention

The entered weight for strict Machine Chest Supported Row. Valid Machine Chest Supported Row reps. The lifter must pull the handles toward the approved trunk position, then return under control to the same arms-extended start range. A valid finish requires controlled top pull with the chest staying on the pad and no trunk heave or pad bounce. Consistent setup, range, and finish quality across the entered set. No substituted exercise or assisted reps.

Enter one recent Bent Over Row result and one recent Machine Chest Supported Row result

First lift: total barbell weight and 1–12 strict reps. Second lift: weight used and 1–12 strict reps. Pounds or kilograms.

Related Tools

• Barbell Bent-Over Row — View the individual Bent-Over Row standards and next strength-level target.
• Machine Chest Supported Row — View the individual Machine Chest Supported Row standards and next strength-level target.
• Chest Supported Dumbbell Row — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Plate Loaded Row — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Low Row — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.
• Seated Cable Row — Use this related standards tool to examine a closely related exercise without mixing its result into this comparison.