Smith Machine Upright Row

TrapsMachineBeginnerCompound
Smith Machine Upright Row — start position
Start
Smith Machine Upright Row — finish position
Finish
Muscles worked
PrimaryTraps
SecondaryBiceps, Mid back, Shoulders

How to do it

  1. 01

    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.

  2. 02

    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.

  3. 03

    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.

  4. 04

    Lower the bar back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.

  5. 05

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In the app

Smith Machine Upright Row appears when you own the machine and the day's window has room for it. Loads come from Rule 3 (Loads rise when earned, read from RPE, graded strong) and climb on the reps you actually did.

If a machine is taken the engine swaps a same-pattern movement and says why.

If you don't have the machine

Same movement pattern, same primary muscles — swap by what you have.

With dumbbell
With bands

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