Upright Barbell Rows
- Stand with your back straight, holding a barbell with an overhand grip slightly less than shoulder width apart.
- The bar should be level with the tops of your thighs.
- Keep your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. This is the start position.
- Exhale and using the sides of your shoulders lift the bar.
- As you do so, raise your elbows up and out to the side.
- Keep the bar close to your body as you raise it.
- Continue lifting the bar until it is just below your chin. Pause for a count of one.
- Return to the start position in a single smooth movement. Inhale as you do so.
- Repeat.
This exercise can be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley or using dumbbells.
Related exercises to discover
Upright barbell rows is a gym work out exercise that targets shoulders and also involves abs and neck & upper traps. Refer to the illustration diagram and instructions above for how to perform this exercise correctly. Crab toe touches, external cable shoulder rotation and two-arm kettlebell squat swings are related exercise that target the same muscle groups as upright barbell rows. Visit our free illustrated exercise directory for more exercises to try in your workouts.
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