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Last updated March 5, 2026
Shoulders
Upright Row (Dumbbell)
Lift dumbbells straight up the front of your body. Lead with your elbows high. Stop when elbows reach shoulder height.
Quick facts
- Level
- Intermediate
- Mechanic
- Compound
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Moderate
- Hypertrophy
- Very High
- Calorie Burn
- Medium
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
Side Shoulders
Secondary
Upper Traps
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
Dumbbell
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Standing
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Stand upright with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding a dumbbell in each hand with an overhand grip.
- Let the dumbbells hang at arm's length in front of your thighs.
- Step 2Position Your Body
- Engage your core and keep your back straight throughout the movement.
- Ensure your shoulders are relaxed and not hunched.
- Step 3Lift the Dumbbells
- Begin the movement by lifting the dumbbells straight up towards your chin.
- Keep your elbows higher than your wrists and close to your body as you lift.
- Step 4Reach the Top
- Continue lifting the dumbbells until they reach just below your chin.
- Pause briefly at the top of the movement, squeezing your shoulders.
- Step 5Lower the Dumbbells
- Slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position with control.
- Ensure that your elbows remain slightly bent and do not drop below your shoulders.
- Step 6Repeat
- Repeat the lift and lower for the desired number of repetitions.
- Focus on maintaining proper form throughout each rep.
- Step 7Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully lower the dumbbells to your sides.
- Stand tall and take a moment to regain your balance before moving on.
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