How to do a Handle Band Upright Row
Reviewed by Jim Parker, CPT, B.A. Kinesiology
Workouts with Handle Band Upright Row
Instructions for Proper Form
Focusing on the shoulders and upper back, the Handle Band Upright Row uses a resistance band to execute the rowing motion. This exercise improves shoulder and neck posture, offering a safer alternative to barbell rows by reducing the risk of shoulder impingement.
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder width apart and a resistance band underneath the middle of both feet holding the handles with and overhand grip directly in front of your hips.
- Pull your elbows up overhead to bring the handles to shoulder height keeping the handles close to your body.
- Return to the starting position and repeat.
Sets & Reps Calculator
Average Handle Band Upright Row standards by male, female, gender, 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.
- beginner3sets9reps1 Set Max10reps
- intermediate4sets9reps11reps
- advanced4sets10reps12reps
Enter your stats to calculate your Sets & Reps
Alternatives & Variations to Handle Band Upright Row
1. Dumbbell Front Raise
98.6 mSCORESWAPPED 160 TIMESDumbbell Front Raise is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the shoulders, more specifically the anterior deltoid (front of the shoulder). This is a very common shoulder exercise, and can work well to isolate the shoulders to build strength and muscle mass. By using dumbbells, you can help identify and address any strength imbalances between sides.
2. Kettlebell Upright Row
75.4 mSCORESWAPPED 124 TIMESKettlebell Upright Row is a variation on the more standard Upright Row. This compound exercise primarily targets your shoulders. The benefit to using a Kettlebell is the ability to pull the handle in opposite directions at the top of the movement. This can help improve muscle activation compared to other variations.
3. Cross-body Arm Stretch
11.9 mSCORESWAPPED 90 TIMESCross-body Arm Stretch is a basic isolation stretch that primarily targets the shoulders, specifically focusing on the rear deltoids and triceps. By pulling one arm across your body and holding it with the opposite arm, you can improve flexibility and relieve tension in the shoulders. This stretch is an excellent addition to any warm-up or cool-down routine to enhance shoulder mobility and reduce injury risk.
4. Backward Arm Circle
84.1 mSCORESWAPPED 85 TIMESBackward Arm Circle is a continuous exercise that primarily targets the shoulders. This exercise is often used as a warm up to improve mobility and muscle activation throughout the shoulders. This exercise is often used together with its counterpart, Forward Arm Circle.
5. Mini Loop Band Overhead Fly
19.8 mSCORESWAPPED 80 TIMESAn isolation exercise that targets the deltoids and upper back, the overhead fly with a mini loop band adds resistance to improve muscle strength and stability. This variation offers a unique challenge, enhancing shoulder health and aesthetics better than standard flies.
6. Shoulder Squeeze
13.8 mSCORESWAPPED 74 TIMESShoulder Squeeze is an isolation exercise that primarily targets the back, specifically the muscles between the shoulder blades (rhomboids and middle trapezius). This exercise can help improve posture and shoulder stability. The movement involves squeezing the shoulder blades together, which can be easily done with or without equipment, making it a versatile addition to any workout routine.
7. Handle Band Forward Raise
57.2 mSCORESWAPPED 69 TIMESHandle Band Forward Raise is a variation on the more standard Front Raise. Similar to the Front Raise, this is an isolation exercise that primarily targets your shoulders. The use of a handle band allows for increasing resistance as you progress through the movement. In addition it can help prevent cheating by swaying or utilizing your lower body to help raise the weight.
8. Dumbbell Upright Row
90.7 mSCORESWAPPED 67 TIMESDumbbell Upright Row is a variation on the more standard Barbell Upright Row. Like the other variation, this is a compound exercise that primarily targets your traps. The use of dumbbells adds a bit more instability to the movement, as well as forcing you to not compensate for any strength or mobility imbalances between sides.
9. Cable Face Pull
96 mSCORESWAPPED 62 TIMESCable Face Pull is a compound exercise that primarily targets your shoulders, more specifically your posterior deltoids (back of the shoulder). By using a cable machine, you have more control over where the resistance is coming from, and can easily make adjustments by either moving towards or away from the cable machine, or by adjusting the height of the pulley.
- Intermediate
- Shoulders
- Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
10. Cable Upright Row
89.4 mSCORESWAPPED 60 TIMESThis compound exercise is a cable variation of an upright row. It targets the shoulders and traps. Using a cable for resistance gives you more control over the direction of your resistance, and allows for consistent tension throughout the movement. This is an effective exercises for developing strength and muscle mass in your back and shoulders.