Standing Dumbbell Upright Row

Grasp a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated (palms forward) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The dumbbells should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position. Use your side shoulders to lift the dumbbells as you exhale. The dumbbells should be close to the body as you move it up and the elbows should drive the motion. Continue to lift them until they nearly touch your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the dumbbells, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement. Lower the dumbbells back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.

Standing Dumbbell Upright Row primarily trains the shoulders, with the back and biceps contributing. The exact demand depends on your setup, range, and chosen load.

Set a secure grip and keep the chosen torso position repeatable. Move the elbows through the intended pull without a large torso swing. Return under control rather than dropping the weight or losing shoulder control.

Related options include Dumbbell One-Arm Upright Row, Dumbbell Incline Shoulder Raise, Dumbbell Lying Rear Lateral Raise. These can have different equipment, range, and movement demands. Open the guides below to compare the setups before choosing a replacement.