Reverse Row - Dumbbell Alternate

Recommendations: 2-3 Sets, 8-12 Reps, 80 Wght

Intermediate Traps Lats Triceps Posterior Delts Strength Dumbbell Pull Compound Gym

Purpose: This is a good exercise for increasing strength and size in the upper back.

Benefits: This exercise is a strong, effective free weight back exercise for building muscle mass and size of the lats.

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip (palms facing forward) and your arms close to the sides of your body. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. This is the starting position. Lift the right dumbbell straight up toward your waist. Keeping your arm close to your body until your upper arm is parallel with your back. Hold for a second at the top, feeling the lift from the lats and the traps (not the shoulders and arms) and squeeze the scapula together. Exhale during this movement. Lower the weight slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip (palms facing forward) and your arms close to the sides of your body. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. Lift the left dumbbell straight up toward your waist. Keeping your arm close to your body until your upper arm is parallel with your back. Hold for a second at the top, feeling the lift from the lats and the traps (not the shoulders and arms) and squeeze the scapula together. Exhale during this movement. Lower the weight slowly to the starting position. Inhale during this movement. Hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip (palms facing forward) and your arms close to the sides of your body. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. Repeat for the required number of repetitions. Variation: This exercise can be done with lifting both dumbbells together.


There are a number of muscles in the back, although the two major muscles are the lats and traps. The lats pulls the arm back and down towards the spine. The traps pull the shoulder blades back and towards the spine.

Step 1

Bend over, holding dumbbells in a reverse (underhand) grip.

reverse-row-dumbbell-alternate-step-0

Stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip (palms facing forward) and your arms close to the sides of your body. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. This is the starting position.

Step 2

Short: Lift the right dumbbell to your waist. Feel the lift in the lats and traps.

reverse-row-dumbbell-alternate-step-1

Lift the right dumbbell straight up toward your waist. Keeping your arm close to your body until your upper arm is parallel with your back. Hold for a second at the top, feeling the lift from the lats and the traps (not the shoulders and arms) and squeeze the scapula together. Exhale during this movement.

Step 3

Lower the weight slowly to the starting position.

reverse-row-dumbbell-alternate-step-2

Lower the weight slowly to the starting position. Hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip (palms facing forward) and your arms close to the sides of your body. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats. .

Step 4

Short: Lift the left dumbbell to your waist. Feel the lift in the lats and traps.

reverse-row-dumbbell-alternate-step-3

Lift the left dumbbell straight up toward your waist. Keeping your arm close to your body until your upper arm is parallel with your back. Hold for a second at the top, feeling the lift from the lats and the traps (not the shoulders and arms) and squeeze the scapula together. Exhale during this movement.

Step 5

Lower the weight slowly to the starting position.

reverse-row-dumbbell-alternate-step-4

Lower the weight slowly to the starting position. Hold the dumbbells with an underhand grip (palms facing forward) and your arms close to the sides of your body. Bend over while facing forward (not down) with your knees slightly bent until your upper body is parallel to the floor. Let the dumbbells hang down and you feel the stretch in the lats.