Wide Grip Upright Row: How-to, Tips & More

The Wide Grip Upright Row is a beginner isolation exercise for your shoulders. You do it with barbell. It is a good fit when your goal is both strength and muscle growth.

Besides the shoulders, it also works your traps, so it fits well in a session that trains those muscles together.

Muscles worked

Shoulders muscle

Shoulders

Primary

Traps muscle

Traps

Secondary

How to do the Wide Grip Upright Row

  1. Stand tall holding the bar with a grip wider than shoulder width.
  2. Pull the bar up along your body, leading with your elbows.
  3. Stop when your upper arms are level with your shoulders.
  4. Lower slowly.

Wide Grip Upright Row tips

  • The wide grip is easier on the shoulders than a narrow one.

Sets and reps

Most lifters do well with 8 to 15 reps per set, and 8 to 15 reps is where this exercise tends to work best. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve on every set, and add weight once you can complete all your sets at the top of the range. It also works well in a superset with an exercise for the opposite muscles. You can finish with a drop set when you want extra volume.

Equipment

Barbell

Type

Isolation

Wide Grip Upright Row alternatives

More shoulders exercises

Frequently asked questions

What muscles does the Wide Grip Upright Row work?

The Wide Grip Upright Row mainly works your shoulders, with help from your traps.

How many sets and reps should I do?

A good starting point is 8 to 15 reps per set, and many lifters get the best results between 8 to 15 reps. Use a weight that leaves one or two reps in reserve.

Is the Wide Grip Upright Row good for beginners?

Yes. The Wide Grip Upright Row is considered beginner and is a good choice if you are new to training. Start light and focus on form.

What equipment do I need for the Wide Grip Upright Row?

You need barbell.

Wide Grip Upright Row demonstration

Add Wide Grip Upright Row to your program

Bite fills in your weights, tracks your progress and tells you when to go heavier.

Download on the App StoreComing soon