How to do a Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Reviewed by JP Michelsen, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology

About Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Sets Logged
4,100,646
Popularity Rank
38th
Difficulty
Beginner
Back Strength
98 mSCORE 4th
Equipment Required

Target muscles worked

Primary Muscles
Back
Secondary Muscles
Biceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Dumbbell Bent Over Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets the back, but also hits biceps. The use of dumbbells helps prevent compensating for any discrepancies in strength between sides, as well as adds more instability to the movement compared to equipment like barbells. This can be a great addition to any back workout for building muscle mass and strength.

  1. Stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart while holding a pair of dumbbells next to your hips.
  2. Push your hips backward keeping your knees bent to angle your torso to a 45 degree angle with the floor and maintain this position throughout the exercise.
  3. Position your extended arms so that the dumbbells are underneath your shoulders.
  4. Pull your elbows up past your sides squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top.
  5. Control the dumbbells back to starting position and repeat.

Common Form Mistakes

  • Over Recruiting Biceps

    While your biceps should be involved, you should be feeling a majority of the tension in your back. Try focusing on driving your elbow back instead of bringing the weight towards your chest. This mindset shift will help you recruit the proper muscle groups for this exercise.

  • Don’t Use Momentum

    Extending your lower back can help you move more weight by recruiting additional muscle groups to help you build momentum. Keep your torso stable by engaging your core, and limit your movement to the desired exercise. You may need to reduce your weight to maintain proper form.

  • Back Flat

    Keeping your back flat is essential to maintaining proper form with this exercise. It’s very common to see your back start to round as you become fatigued. Focus on keeping your core engaged, and shoulders back.

Weight & 1 Rep Max Calculator

Average Dumbbell Bent Over Row standards by male, female, weight, age and height

Use this calculator to see Fitbod's possible first recommendations for you. This would be your starting line, based on more than 4.5 billion logged sets from 1.1 million users.

  • beginner
    8
    reps
    17.5
    lbs
    1 Rep Max
    22.5
    lbs
  • intermediate
    8
    reps
    30
    lbs
    40
    lbs
  • advanced
    8
    reps
    35
    lbs
    45
    lbs

Enter your stats to calculate your Reps & Weight

How is this calculated?

Alternative Exercises to Dumbbell Bent Over Row

Filter By

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    This compound movement primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps, as well as requiring some core activation for stability. By bracing yourself on the flat bench, you can position your torso parallel to the ground, without needing specific equipment. This is a great exercise with or without limited equipment, and a staple in many back workouts.

  2. 2. Lat Pulldown

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    This compound exercise primarily targets the back, but also hits the shoulders and biceps. The movement itself is based on a Pull Up, however, by locking your legs into place, you can add significantly more stability to the movement making it easier to complete a rep, as well as getting control over the resistance. This exercise can be easily adapted to meet your needs with different handles.

  3. 3. Cable Row

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    Cable Row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders and biceps. This exercise is often done with a specific cable machine that sets you into the perfect position, but you can also use an adjustable cable to have more control over the direction your resistance is coming from. This is a great exercise for building muscle mass and strength in your back, and is a common addition to most upper body or pull workouts.

  4. 4. Bent Over Barbell Row

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    Bent Over Barbell row is a compound movement that primarily targets your back, but also hits your shoulders, traps, and biceps. The use of a barbell adds more stability to this movement compared to something like dumbbells which can help you focus on exerting strength rather than stabilizing the movement. It’s a great exercise for building strength, and can be a way to start learning more advanced exercises like Olympic Lifts.

  5. 5. Incline Dumbbell Row

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    90.5 mSCORESWAPPED 3,813 TIMES

    This is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. It’s a variation on the more standard Bent Over Row, that uses an incline bench to stabilize your upper body. This added stability ensures that you can't assist yourself by recruiting other muscle groups. The added stability also allows you to focus on moving the weight rather than stabilizing your upper body in the right position.

  6. 6. Machine Row

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    95.6 mSCORESWAPPED 3,472 TIMES

    Like other row variations, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. Unlike other variations, using a machine restricts your range of motion, and adds a ton of stability to the movement. This is excellent exercise for learning or practicing the movement of a seated row.

    • Beginner
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  7. 7. Dumbbell Bent Over Reverse Fly

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    Dumbbell Bent Over Reverse Fly is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the posterior deltoids (back of the shoulder). The use of dumbbells helps prevent compensating for strength discrepancies between sides. Leaning forward during the exercise allows for better isolation of the targeted shoulder muscles while also recruiting some muscle activation in the upper back.

  8. 8. Hammerstrength Iso Row

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    Hammerstrength High Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. This movement is fairly similar to other seated rows, however the Hammerstrength Machine will restrict your range of motion to an arc, rather than a straight line. The machine also adds stability to the movement, which allows you to focus your attention on exertion rather than stability.

    • Beginner
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    • Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)

  9. 9. Hammerstrength High Row

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    Hammerstrength High Row is a compound exercise that primarily targets your back. This movement is somewhere in between a Lat Pull Down and a Seated Row. The Hammerstrength Machine helps restrict your range of motion by moving on a set path, and adds a ton of stability to the movement. This is a great exercise for building strength, and the use of a machine allows you to focus more of your efforts on exertion rather than form.

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  10. 10. Reverse Grip Pull Down

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    The Reverse Grip Pull Down is a compound exercise that primarily targets the latissimus dorsi but shifts more focus towards the lower lats and biceps due to the underhand grip. This variation can be easier on the wrists and elbows than the traditional overhand grip and allows for a closer grip, enhancing the activation of the targeted muscles. It's particularly beneficial for those seeking to increase the thickness of their lower lats and improve overall back strength and aesthetics.