Shoulder exercises

Dumbbell Upright Row

Also known as: Rowing menton avec haltères · Όρθια κωπηλατική με αλτήρες · DB upright row

Primary
Shoulders
Equipment
Dumbbell
Level
Beginner
Type
Compound
Suggested rest
1.5 min

How to do the Dumbbell Upright Row

  1. Stand with a dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs, palms facing your body.

  2. Pull the dumbbells up close to your body, leading with your elbows.

  3. Stop when your elbows reach shoulder height.

  4. Lower slowly back to the start.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–48–121.5 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 4 kg (10 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Shoulders

Secondary

Traps

Three heads, three jobs: the front delts press, the side delts raise your arms out and give width, the rear delts pull back. Train all three.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Dumbbell Upright Row doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

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Dumbbell shoulder exercises