Smith Machine Upright Row
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General info
How to perform exercise
- To begin, set the bar on the smith machine to a height that is around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grasp the bar using a pronated (palms forward) grip that is shoulder width apart. You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.
- Lift the barbell up and fully extend your arms with your back straight. There should be a slight bend at the elbows. This is the starting position.
- Use your side shoulders to lift the bar as you exhale. The bar should be close to the body as you move it up. Continue to lift it until it nearly touches your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the bar, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement.
- Lower the bar back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Caution: Be very careful with how much weight you use in this exercise. Too much weight leads to bad form, which in turn can cause shoulder injury. I've seen this too many times so please no jerking, swinging and cheating. Also, if you suffer from shoulder problems, you may want to stay away from upright rows and substitute by some form of lateral raises.
Variations: This exercise can also be performed using a barbell, E-Z bar, straight bar attached to a low pulley and it can also be performed using dumbbells, though this later exercise should be reserved by the most advanced people that are well familiarized with correct execution.
Same as the Upright Barbell Row but with a Smith Machine.
Photos of the correct technique
What muscles work?
If the correct technique is followed, the following muscle groups work: Traps, and auxiliary muscles: Shoulders, Biceps, Traps
Weight and number of repetitions
The number of repetitions and working weight depends on your goal and other parameters. But the general recommendations can be presented in the form of a table:
| Goal | Sets | Reps | Weight, %1Rm | Rest between sets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 2-6 | 1-5 reps | 100-85% | 3-7 min |
| Mass gain | 3-6 | 6-12 reps | 85-60% | 1-4 min |
| Fat burning | 2-4 | 13-25 reps | 60-40% | 1-2 min |
In order to make the training more diverse and effective you have to change the number of repetitions and the working weight. It is important not to go beyond certain values!
*Specify the weight and the maximum number of repetitions that you can perform with this weight.
Best workout routines with this exercise
These programs with this exercise «Smith Machine Upright Row» are among the best rated by athletes.
Exercise substitutions
Workouts with «Smith Machine Upright Row»
