The underhand dumbbell row is a popular exercise that targets the muscles in your back, shoulders, and arms. It is a compound movement that requires you to pull the weight towards your body, engaging your biceps and forearms as well as your back muscles. This exercise is great for building strength and improving posture, making it a valuable addition to any workout routine.
If you’re looking to add some variety to your back workouts, the underhand dumbbell row is a great option. Not only does it work different muscles than traditional rows, but it also helps to improve your grip strength. By holding the dumbbells with an underhand grip, you’ll engage your biceps and forearms more than with an overhand grip. This can help to prevent imbalances and improve your overall upper body strength.
Key Takeaways
- The underhand dumbbell row is a compound exercise that targets multiple muscle groups in your upper body.
- It is a great exercise for building strength, improving posture, and increasing grip strength.
- By using an underhand grip, you’ll engage your biceps and forearms more than with an overhand grip, helping to prevent imbalances and improve overall upper body strength.
What is the Underhand Dumbbell Row and Why You Should Include It in Your Workout

As a professional fitness enthusiast, I highly recommend including the underhand dumbbell row in your workout routine. This exercise is a great way to target your back muscles, arms, and shoulders, while also improving your core stability and posture.
The underhand dumbbell row is a variation of the traditional dumbbell row, where you hold the dumbbell with an underhand grip instead of an overhand grip. This grip changes the angle of the exercise, putting more emphasis on your biceps and upper back muscles.
This exercise is a great way to build strength and muscle mass in your back, arms, and shoulders. It is also an effective way to improve your posture and upper body stability.
When performing the underhand dumbbell row, it is important to maintain proper form to avoid injury and get the most out of the exercise. Make sure to keep your back straight, shoulders down, and elbows close to your body.
Some of the benefits of including the underhand dumbbell row in your workout routine include:
- Targeting multiple muscle groups: This exercise targets your back, shoulders, arms, and core muscles, making it a great way to work out multiple muscle groups at once.
- Improving posture and stability: The underhand dumbbell row can help improve your posture and upper body stability, which can lead to better performance in other exercises and daily activities.
- Building muscle mass: This exercise is a great way to build muscle mass in your back, arms, and shoulders, which can help you achieve your fitness goals.
- Increasing strength: By targeting multiple muscle groups, the underhand dumbbell row can help increase your overall strength and fitness level.
Overall, the underhand dumbbell row is a great exercise to include in your workout routine if you want to target your back, arms, and shoulders, while also improving your posture and stability. Whether you are a bodybuilder or just looking to improve your fitness level at home, this exercise is a great option.
How to Do the Underhand Dumbbell Row: A Step-by-Step Guide

As a professional fitness trainer, I often recommend the underhand dumbbell row as a great exercise for building strength and muscle in the back, arms, and shoulders. Here is a simple guide on how to do it correctly:
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and holding a dumbbell in each hand with an underhand grip.
- Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your core engaged.
- Pull the dumbbells up towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body and squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement.
- Lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position with control, keeping your back straight and your core engaged throughout the movement.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, aiming for 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps.
It’s important to maintain proper form throughout the exercise to avoid injury and get the most out of the movement. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Keep your elbows close to your body to engage your back muscles more effectively.
- Focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement to engage your traps and rhomboids.
- Use a weight that challenges you, but still allows you to maintain proper form and control.
- Avoid jerking or swinging the weights, as this can put unnecessary strain on your lower back and shoulders.
The underhand dumbbell row is a great exercise to incorporate into your strength training routine, whether you’re working out at home or in a gym. It’s a simple movement that targets multiple muscle groups and can help improve your posture, mobility, and muscle hypertrophy.
Benefits of Adding the Underhand Dumbbell Row to Your Exercise Routine

As a professional fitness enthusiast, I highly recommend incorporating the underhand dumbbell row into your strength training routine. This simple yet effective exercise targets multiple muscle groups in the upper body, making it a great addition to any fitness routine.
First and foremost, the underhand dumbbell row is an excellent exercise for targeting the back muscles, specifically the lats, traps, and rhomboids. By using an underhand grip, you are able to engage these muscles more effectively than with a traditional dumbbell row.
In addition to working the back muscles, the underhand dumbbell row also targets the biceps, shoulders, and forearms. This exercise is a great way to build overall upper body strength and size.
Another benefit of the underhand dumbbell row is that it helps improve posture and stability. By strengthening the muscles in the upper back and shoulders, you can improve your overall posture and reduce the risk of injury.
When performing the underhand dumbbell row, it is important to maintain proper form. Keep your elbows close to your body, and focus on pulling the weights towards your chest rather than your stomach. This will help you target the correct muscles and avoid injury.
To challenge yourself and target specific muscles, you can vary the weight and number of reps you perform. Additionally, there are several alternative exercises you can try, such as the rear delt row, rear delt fly, and single-arm dumbbell row.
Overall, the underhand dumbbell row is a simple yet effective exercise that can help you build muscle, improve posture, and increase overall upper body strength. Whether you’re a bodybuilder or just looking to improve your fitness routine, this exercise is a great addition to any home or basement gym setup.
Effective Alternatives to the Underhand Dumbbell Row for a Stronger Back

As a fitness enthusiast, I know the importance of having a strong back. One of the exercises that I have found to be effective for building back muscles is the underhand dumbbell row. However, there are times when I want to switch things up and try something new. In this section, I will share with you some effective alternatives to the underhand dumbbell row that you can try to build a stronger back.
1. Dumbbell Bent Over Row: A Classic Exercise for Building Back Muscles
The dumbbell bent over row is a classic exercise that has been used for decades to build back muscles. To perform this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward at the hips until your back is parallel to the ground. From this position, pull the dumbbells up towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body. Lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of reps.
2. Seated Row with Dumbbells: A Great Exercise for Targeting the Back Muscles
If you are looking for an exercise that specifically targets your back muscles, then the seated row with dumbbells is a great option. To perform this exercise, sit on the edge of a bench with your feet flat on the ground and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Lean forward and extend your arms out in front of you, palms facing each other. From this position, pull the dumbbells towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of reps.
3. One Arm Dumbbell Row: A Dynamic Exercise for Building Upper Body Strength
The one arm dumbbell row is a dynamic exercise that not only targets your back muscles but also helps to build upper body strength. To perform this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in your right hand. Hinge forward at the hips until your back is parallel to the ground and extend your left arm out in front of you for balance. From this position, pull the dumbbell up towards your chest, keeping your elbow close to your body. Lower the dumbbell back down to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of reps before switching to the left arm.
In conclusion, the underhand dumbbell row is a great exercise for building back muscles, but there are also other effective alternatives that you can try. The dumbbell bent over row, seated row with dumbbells, and one arm dumbbell row are all great exercises that can help you build a stronger back. Incorporate these exercises into your workout routine and you will see results in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of doing underhand dumbbell rows?
Underhand dumbbell rows are a great exercise for targeting the upper back muscles, including the lats and rhomboids. This exercise can help improve posture and increase overall back strength. It also engages the biceps, making it a great compound exercise for those looking to build upper body strength.
How do you perform a proper bent over row with dumbbells?
To perform a proper bent over row with dumbbells, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in each hand. Hinge forward at the hips, keeping your back straight, and let the dumbbells hang down towards the floor. Pull the dumbbells up towards your chest, keeping your elbows close to your body, and squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement. Lower the dumbbells back down towards the floor and repeat for the desired number of reps.
What are some alternative exercises to underhand dumbbell rows?
Some alternative exercises to underhand dumbbell rows include overhand dumbbell rows, cable rows, and barbell rows. These exercises target similar muscle groups and can be used to mix up your workout routine.
What muscles are targeted during single arm dumbbell rows?
Single arm dumbbell rows primarily target the lats and rhomboids, but also engage the biceps, traps, and rear deltoids. This exercise can help improve posture and increase overall back strength.
How do underhand barbell rows differ from overhand barbell rows?
Underhand barbell rows and overhand barbell rows target similar muscle groups, but the underhand grip places more emphasis on the biceps while the overhand grip places more emphasis on the upper back muscles.
What are some tips for performing underhand dumbbell raises effectively?
To perform underhand dumbbell rows effectively, make sure to keep your back straight and engage your core throughout the movement. Focus on pulling the dumbbells towards your chest with your elbows close to your body, and avoid using momentum to lift the weight. Start with lighter weights and gradually increase the weight as you become more comfortable with the exercise.