Bent-Over Row at a Strict 90°: 265×8

Another data point from the same lift-assessment session — bent-over row, strict 90-degree torso angle, for 8 reps.

The number

265 pounds for 8 reps at a true 90-degree bend — roughly 0.98× bodyweight.

Why the angle matters

Most people's "bent-over row" isn't actually bent over to 90 degrees — it's closer to 45, which turns the row into a much easier, more upright-pull pattern. Holding a strict horizontal torso angle removes a lot of the leverage assistance a more upright position provides, which is why this number carries more weight than the raw plates might suggest.

Takeaway

This is a good check-in lift precisely because the strict form requirement makes it hard to cheat the number upward over time — if it goes up, the row actually got stronger, not just the ego.