The dumbbell upright row is a compound exercise that targets muscle groups in your shoulders and upper back. Perform dumbbell upright rows by grabbing a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip and lifting them vertically in front of you until they reach shoulder height. With proper technique, the dumbbell upright row is one of the best shoulder exercises you can perform.

Regularly practicing dumbbell upright rows has a few key benefits:

1. __Dumbbell upright rows build upper-body strength__. The movement pattern of a dumbbell upright row targets muscles like your deltoids, trapezius, and triceps. With regular practice, dumbbell upright rows can help you perform other compound exercises like [deadlifts](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deadlift-guide), bench presses, and pull-ups. 
2. __Dumbbell upright rows improve muscle symmetry__. By using a pair of dumbbells rather than a single piece of equipment like a barbell, EZ curl bar, or resistance band, the dumbbell upright row highlights muscle asymmetries you may have developed by favoring one side of your body over the other. 
3. __Dumbbell upright rows are versatile__. Once you’re comfortable with the dumbbell upright row, consider adding another movement pattern to each repetition. If you want to work your glutes more, try adding a squat at the bottom of the movement. For additional shoulder activation, try an overhead press at the top of the movement.
For the dumbbell upright row, begin by performing 2–3 sets of 10–15 repetitions with weights you can control. Choose your sets and repetitions based on your ability to maintain good technique throughout the movement.

1. Grab a pair of dumbbells, and stand with your feet shoulder- to hip-width apart with a slight bend in your knees. Your posture should be tall with your shoulders over your hips.  Maintain a neutral head and neck position. Your chin should remain tucked throughout the movement, as if you were holding an egg under your chin. Your weight should be evenly distributed along each entire foot. Grip the floor with your feet to create a stable foot position.
2. Hold the dumbbells in front of your body with your palms facing your legs. Your arms should be long with a slight bend in your elbows.Pre-tension your shoulders and hips while engaging your core. All repetitions should begin from this position.
3. While keeping the dumbbells close to your body, initiate the upward movement by slowly pulling the dumbbells up toward your lower chest. Allow your shoulder blades to move naturally with your shoulder joints.
4. Pause for a second at the top of the movement.
5. Slowly straighten your arms to return the dumbbells to the starting position.
6. Pause for a second at the bottom before beginning your next repetition.

If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort.

In order to see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery.

Throw on some athleisure, fire up a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com), and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and *GQ* fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time.
Whether you’re an experienced bodybuilder or a novice lifter, the dumbbell upright row is one of the best shoulder workouts you can add to your weightlifting program. 


Whether you’re an experienced bodybuilder or a novice lifter, the dumbbell upright row is one of the best shoulder workouts you can add to your weightlifting program. 


How to Do Dumbbell Upright Rows With Proper Form

The dumbbell upright row is a compound exercise that targets muscle groups in your shoulders and upper back. Perform dumbbell upright rows by grabbing a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip and lifting them vertically in front of you until they reach shoulder height. With proper technique, the dumbbell upright row is one of the best shoulder exercises you can perform.

What Is a Dumbbell Upright Row?

Regularly practicing dumbbell upright rows has a few key benefits:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Dumbbell upright rows build upper-body strength. The movement pattern of a dumbbell upright row targets muscles like your deltoids, trapezius, and triceps. With regular practice, dumbbell upright rows can help you perform other compound exercises like <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deadlift-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/deadlift-guide","linkCopy":"deadlifts","category":null}'>deadlifts</a>, bench presses, and pull-ups. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Dumbbell upright rows improve muscle symmetry. By using a pair of dumbbells rather than a single piece of equipment like a barbell, EZ curl bar, or resistance band, the dumbbell upright row highlights muscle asymmetries you may have developed by favoring one side of your body over the other. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Dumbbell upright rows are versatile. Once you’re comfortable with the dumbbell upright row, consider adding another movement pattern to each repetition. If you want to work your glutes more, try adding a squat at the bottom of the movement. For additional shoulder activation, try an overhead press at the top of the movement. </li></ol>

3 Benefits of Dumbbell Upright Rows

For the dumbbell upright row, begin by performing 2–3 sets of 10–15 repetitions with weights you can control. Choose your sets and repetitions based on your ability to maintain good technique throughout the movement.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Grab a pair of dumbbells, and stand with your feet shoulder- to hip-width apart with a slight bend in your knees. Your posture should be tall with your shoulders over your hips. Maintain a neutral head and neck position. Your chin should remain tucked throughout the movement, as if you were holding an egg under your chin. Your weight should be evenly distributed along each entire foot. Grip the floor with your feet to create a stable foot position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Hold the dumbbells in front of your body with your palms facing your legs. Your arms should be long with a slight bend in your elbows.Pre-tension your shoulders and hips while engaging your core. All repetitions should begin from this position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. While keeping the dumbbells close to your body, initiate the upward movement by slowly pulling the dumbbells up toward your lower chest. Allow your shoulder blades to move naturally with your shoulder joints. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Pause for a second at the top of the movement. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Slowly straighten your arms to return the dumbbells to the starting position. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 6. Pause for a second at the bottom before beginning your next repetition. </li></ol>

How to Do Dumbbell Upright Rows

If you have a previous or pre-existing health condition, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program. Proper exercise technique is essential to ensure the safety and effectiveness of an exercise program, but you may need to modify each exercise to attain optimal results based on your individual needs. Always select a weight that allows you to have full control of your body throughout the movement. When performing any exercise, pay close attention to your body, and stop immediately if you note pain or discomfort.In order to see continual progress and build body strength, incorporate proper warm-ups, rest, and nutrition into your exercise program. Your results will ultimately be based on your ability to adequately recover from your workouts. Rest for 24 to 48 hours before training the same muscle groups to allow sufficient recovery.

How to Work out Safely and Avoid Injury

Throw on some athleisure, fire up a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>, and get ready to sweat it out with exclusive instructional videos from Nike Master Trainer and GQ fitness specialist Joe Holder. Want to improve your cardiovascular endurance? Give Joe’s HIIT workout a go. Trying to get a little swole? He’s got a strength training workout for that. From fitness tips to nutrition hacks, Joe will have you feeling healthier in no time.

Want to Dive Deeper Into Your Wellness Journey?

Whether you’re an experienced bodybuilder or a novice lifter, the dumbbell upright row is one of the best shoulder workouts you can add to your weightlifting program.

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How to Do Dumbbell Upright Rows With Proper Form