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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:
- Stance: Stand with your feet hip-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
- Dumbbell position: Grab a dumbbell in each hand, palms facing your body.
- Hinge: Bend at your hips, maintaining a flat back, until your torso is roughly parallel to the floor.
- Arm position: Allow the dumbbells to hang with your arms fully extended.
The Lift:
- 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.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades: At the top of the movement, focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together for maximum back engagement.
- Controlled Descent: Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position in a controlled manner. Stretch your lats slightly at the bottom.
- 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
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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
BackBiceps
Lat Pulldown
cable seated high row(v-bar)
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Bench
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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
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Lat Pulldown
lat pulldown reverse close grip
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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
BackChest+2
Resistance Band
band seated row
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Rowing Machine
rowing on rowing machine
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