Dumbbell Upright Row
A standing shoulder and upper-trap exercise where you pull dumbbells up the front of your body with elbows leading.
Secondary muscles
How to do it
- Stand tall with a dumbbell in each hand in front of your thighs, palms facing your body.
- Brace your midsection and keep your chest lifted.
- Pull the dumbbells straight up along the front of your body by driving your elbows up and out.
- Raise until the dumbbells reach about upper-chest height and your elbows stay higher than your hands.
- Pause briefly, then lower the dumbbells back to your thighs with control.
Form cues
- Lead with your elbows
- Keep dumbbells close
- Shoulders down and back
- Lift to upper chest
Common mistakes
- Pulling the dumbbells all the way to the chin
- Letting the wrists bend sharply at the top
- Swinging the torso to start the lift
- Hands rising higher than the elbows
Breathing
Exhale as you pull the dumbbells up, and inhale as you lower them back down.
