Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using dumbbells.
Starting position
End position
How to Do Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
- With a dumbbell in each hand (palms facing your torso), bend your knees slightly and bring your torso forward by bending at the waist; as you bend make sure to keep your back straight until it is almost parallel to the floor. Tip: Make sure that you keep the head up. The weights should hang directly in front of you as your arms hang perpendicular to the floor and your torso. This is your starting position.
- While keeping the torso stationary, lift the dumbbells to your side (as you breathe out), keeping the elbows close to the body (do not exert any force with the forearm other than holding the weights). On the top contracted position, squeeze the back muscles and hold for a second.
- Slowly lower the weight again to the starting position as you inhale.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles Worked
Alternatives to Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
10 movements that train the same primary muscle, closest substitutes first — same kind of training, then variations of the movement itself, then a similar difficulty.
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1
Bent Over Barbell Row
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using a barbell.
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2
Smith Machine Bent Over Row
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using a machine.
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3
Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using a barbell.
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4
Dumbbell Incline Row
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using dumbbells.
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5
One-Arm Dumbbell Row
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using dumbbells.
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6
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row With Palms In
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using dumbbells.
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7
Reverse Grip Bent-Over Rows
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using a barbell.
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8
Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using a barbell.
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9
Two-Arm Kettlebell Row
An intermediate compound strength exercise that works the upper back, using a kettlebell.
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10
Inverted Row with Straps
A beginner compound strength exercise that works the upper back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What muscles do bent over two-dumbbell row work?
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row primarily works the upper back. The biceps and shoulders assist as secondary muscles.
What equipment do I need for bent over two-dumbbell row?
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row uses dumbbells.
Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row: is it suitable for beginners?
Yes. Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row is rated beginner. Movements you can learn in a session, with a low skill floor and a forgiving failure mode.
What can I do instead of bent over two-dumbbell row?
Bent Over Barbell Row, Smith Machine Bent Over Row, Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row train the same primary muscles and are listed with 7 more alternatives above.
Can Fitnit count my bent over two-dumbbell row reps automatically?
Not automatically yet. Fitnit's AI rep counting covers push-ups, squats, dumbbell curls, crunches and pull-ups today; bent over two-dumbbell row can be logged manually in the app, and tracked movements are added over time.
Photographs and step-by-step instructions from free-exercise-db, a public-domain exercise dataset. Muscle mapping and alternatives by Fitnit.
Track Your Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row with AI
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