Single-Arm Dumbbell Row

A supported one-sided row with a long range of motion and no lower-back cost. Sets of 8-12 per side, useful for fixing a strength gap between the two sides.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Dumbbell · Bench
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Lats · Rhomboids
ALSO WORKS
Biceps · Posterior Deltoid · Obliques · Forearms & Grip
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Place one hand and the same-side knee on a bench with the back flat.
  2. 02Set the other foot on the floor and let the working arm hang straight down.
  3. 03Brace the trunk so the torso stays parallel to the floor.
  4. 04Row the dumbbell to the hip, keeping the elbow close to the ribs.
  5. 05Lower all the way until the shoulder reaches forward, then repeat.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Row to the hip, not the shoulder.
  2. 02Keep the shoulders level with each other.
  3. 03Full stretch at the bottom.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Twisting the torso to finish the rep — the rotation adds range that the back never actually produced.
  2. 02Shrugging the dumbbell up — the upper trap does the work the lat was meant to.
  3. 03Cutting the bottom short — the lat never reaches length and the useful part of the range disappears.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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