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Exercise Guide

How to do dumbbell bent over row

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

The dumbbell bent over row is a versatile compound exercise that builds strength and thickness in the back muscles. By hinging at the hips and pulling the weights toward the waist, you engage the lats, rhomboids, and traps. Using dumbbells allows for a greater range of motion and helps address muscle imbalances between the left and right sides of the body for better symmetry.

Stats

TIER
1
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Dumbbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Back, Biceps, Rear Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Stance: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
  2. Dumbbell position: Grab a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
  3. Hinge: Bend at your hips, maintaining a flat back, until your torso is roughly parallel to the floor.
  4. Arm position: Allow the dumbbells to hang with your arms fully extended.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the Pull: With your core engaged and back straight, pull the dumbbells towards the sides of your torso. Aim to get your elbows behind your back.
  2. Squeeze your shoulder blades: At the top of the movement, focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together for maximum back engagement.
  3. Controlled Descent: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Stretch your lats slightly at the bottom.
  4. Reset: Briefly rest and reset your posture before the next repetition.

Tips:

  • "Pull with your elbows": Focus on bringing your elbows back to engage your lats.
  • Neutral neck: Keep your neck in line with your spine, avoid looking up.
  • Breathe: Exhale as you pull the weights, inhale as you lower them.

Variations:

  • Single-arm variation: Provides greater focus on each side of your back individually.

Common mistakes: Rounding the spine, pulling the weight toward the chest instead of the hip, and standing too upright which shifts the focus away from the back.

Alternatives

Cable

lat prayer

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Pull Up Bar

chin up

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Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown(wide bar)

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Row Cable

cable seated one arm row

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Pull Up Bar

chin up

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Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown behind the neck

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Dumbbell

dumbbell bent over row

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Pull Up Bar

chin ups narrow parallel grip

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Pull Up Bar

pull up

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Lat Pulldown

cable one arm lat pulldown

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Pull Up Bar

close grip chin up

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Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown

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Row Cable

cable seated row

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Barbell

barbell bent over row

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Cable

cable straigth arm pulldown(rope)

BackRear Shoulder
Cable

cable straight arm pulldown(bar)

BackRear Shoulder
Barbell

barbell underhand bent over row

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Lat Pulldown

cable seated high row(v-bar)

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Bench

dumbbell chest supported row

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Front Pulldown

machine front pulldown

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Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm row(with support)

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Barbell

barbell chest supported row

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Barbell

t-bar row(v-grip)

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Landmine

t-bar row

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Lat Pulldown

cable wide grip behind neck pulldown

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Low Row Machine

machine low row

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Barbell

barbell reverse grip supported row

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Pulldown Machine

machine lateral pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown reverse close grip

BackBiceps+1
High Row Machine

machine high row

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Row Cable

cable low seated row

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Seated Row Machine

machine seated row

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Cable

cable pulldown(v-bar)

BackRear Shoulder
None

sliding floor pulldown on towel

BackBiceps
None

superman row with towel

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Row Cable

cable seated row(rope)

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Rings

ring high suspended row

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Squat Rack

inverted row bend knees

BackRear Shoulder+1
Kettlebell

kettlebell bent over row

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Rings

ring suspended row

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Dumbbell

dumbbell pull over

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Resistance Band

band seated row

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Rowing Machine

rowing on rowing machine

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