The upright row pulls a barbell, dumbbells, or cable from the hips up to chest height, training the side deltoids and upper traps. Use a grip slightly wider than shoulder-width and stop the elbows at shoulder height — narrow grips with high elbows cause shoulder impingement.
Travaille les épaules et les trapèzes.
Questions fréquentes sur la technique, la sécurité, le matériel et les variantes pour cet exercice.
Primarily the side and front deltoids (shoulders) and the upper trapezius. The biceps and forearms assist as the elbows lift. Grip width shifts the emphasis: a wide grip (beyond shoulder-width) loads the side delts more; a narrow grip (close together) shifts the work toward the traps but also increases shoulder impingement risk.
Dumbbells are usually safer for the shoulder. The wrists can rotate freely, so the shoulder finds a natural position on every rep. A barbell locks both wrists into the same angle, which in some lifters causes rotator-cuff impingement. The barbell lets you load more weight, but if you've had any shoulder discomfort, start with dumbbells or a cable.
Slightly wider than shoulder-width, roughly your bench-press grip. A narrow grip forces the wrists into a sharp angle and raises the elbows too high, which is the position that causes impingement. With a wide grip, the elbows reach shoulder height naturally and the joint stays in a safer pattern.
Not inherently, but it is when done with a narrow grip and elbows raised above the shoulder. That position internally rotates the shoulder under load and compresses the rotator cuff. With a wide grip and the elbow stopping at shoulder height (not higher), the risk drops to levels comparable to other shoulder exercises. If pain persists, replace it with lateral raises and face pulls.
3–4 sets of 10–12 reps, one or two times per week, as accessory work within your shoulder or back training. It's not a main lift — it pairs well with an overhead press (for the front delt) and lateral raises (for isolated side delt work).
It depends on whether you want a compound option in your accessory work. Lateral raises plus shrugs cover the same muscles as the upright row with isolation movements, which lets you load each muscle more precisely and avoid the impingement risk entirely. The upright row hits both in one motion, which can save time. If your shoulder tolerates the wide-grip version cleanly, keep it; if not, two isolation exercises do the job better.