Barbell Upright Row V. 3

Grasp a barbell with an overhand grip slightly narrower than shoulder-width apart. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold the barbell in front of your thighs with your arms fully extended. Keeping your core engaged and shoulders relaxed, exhale as you lift the barbell straight up towards your chin, leading with your elbows. Pause briefly at the top of the movement, then inhale as you lower the barbell back down to the starting position in a controlled manner. Repeat for the recommended number of repetitions.

How to perform the Barbell Upright Row V. 3

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Barbell Upright Row V. 3 using your barbell.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your trapezius.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your trapezius rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

Build a free routine

Stage exercises here, then sign up to save them as a real Fitly routine — synced to web and mobile.

View staged routine (0)

Related exercises

0 exercises staged Save your routine — sign up free.