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Exercise Guide

How to do push-up row

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

The push-up row, also known as the renegade row, is a challenging compound exercise that combines a chest press with a back row. While holding dumbbells in a plank position, you perform a push-up and then row one weight at a time toward your hip. This movement builds upper body strength, improves core stability, and enhances coordination by requiring significant balance.

Stats

TIER
4
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Dumbbell
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Back, Biceps, Triceps, Front Shoulder, Rear Shoulder, Lateral Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Dumbbell Placement: Place two dumbbells on the floor, shoulder-width apart.
  2. Starting Position: Get into a push-up position with your hands on the dumbbells. Your body should be straight from head to heels, core engaged.

The Lift:

  1. Push-Up: Lower your chest towards the floor, bending your elbows and keeping them close to your body.
  2. Push Back Up: Press up explosively, returning to the starting position.
  3. Row: Shift your weight to one arm and row the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body.
  4. Lower Dumbbell: Slowly lower the dumbbell back to the floor.
  5. Repeat on Other Side: Perform a push-up, then row with the other arm.

Tips:

  • Alternate Arms: Row with one arm at a time to maintain balance and stability.
  • Maintain Form: Keep your body in a straight line throughout the movement. Avoid rotating your hips or letting your back sag.
  • Breathing: Exhale as you push up and row, inhale as you lower down.
  • Variations: You can increase the difficulty by elevating your feet on a bench or box.

Common mistakes: Sagging the hips, rotating the torso during the row, and placing the feet too close together which reduces stability.

Alternatives

Bench

dumbbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Fly Machine

machine seated fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

cable lying fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Cable

cable low chest fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Barbell

barbell bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Chest Press Machine

machine chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Incline Chest Press Machine

machine incline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Crossover Cable

cable standing fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Dumbbell

dumbbell fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable standing crossovers

ChestFront Shoulder
High Incline Chest Press Machine

machine high incline hammer chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

clap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench Press

barbell paused bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

chest tap push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

decline push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

dips between chair

ChestTriceps+1
Resistance Band

resistance band push up

ChestTriceps+1
Seated Dip Machine

machine seated dip

ChestTriceps+1
None

wide grip push-up

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

barbell paused decline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dip Bar

chest dips

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

bench dip on floor

ChestTriceps+1
None

push up

ChestTriceps+1
Bench

cable lying pullover

ChestBack
Bench

dumbbell close grip bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Dumbbell

push-up row

ChestBack+5
Cable

cable incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Chest Press Machine

machine decline chest press

ChestTriceps+1
Cable

cable bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Barbell

dumbbell incline fly

ChestFront Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine bench press

ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine

smit-machine incline bench press

ChestTriceps+1
None

diamond push up

ChestTriceps+1
None

incline push-up

ChestTriceps+1
None

floor triceps dips

ChestFront Shoulder+1
Resistance Band

assisted chest dip

ChestTriceps+1
Decline Bench

barbell decline bench press

ChestFront Shoulder+2
None

burpee

ChestTriceps+7