Exercise guide
Dumbbell Hammer Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
This chest-supported row variation isolates the back muscles by removing momentum and lower back strain, while the neutral grip shifts emphasis toward the brachialis and mid-back.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Set an incline bench to a 30-45 degree angle.
- Lie chest-down on the bench with your feet planted firmly on the floor and your head clear of the top edge.
- Grasp a dumbbell in each hand using a neutral (hammer) grip with palms facing each other.
- Let your arms hang straight down, allowing your shoulder blades to protract slightly toward the floor.
How to do it
- Exhale and pull the dumbbells toward your hips by driving your elbows back and up in a rowing motion.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the peak of the movement, keeping your chest pressed firmly against the pad.
- Inhale and slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position using a controlled 2-second tempo.
- Maintain a neutral neck position by looking slightly ahead of the bench throughout the set.
Form checklist
- Keep your chest glued to the bench to prevent using momentum.
- Drive the movement with your elbows rather than pulling with your hands.
- Avoid shrugging your shoulders toward your ears during the pull.
- Ensure a full range of motion by fully extending the arms at the bottom.
Pro tips
- Think about pulling the weights toward your 'back pockets' to better engage the lower lats and minimize bicep dominance.
- Pause for one second at the top of the rep to maximize the mind-muscle connection in the rhomboids and middle trapezius.
Make it harder
- Incorporate a 3-second isometric hold at the top of every repetition.
- Perform the eccentric (lowering) phase over 4 seconds to increase time under tension.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the dumbbell hammer grip incline bench two arm row work?
- The dumbbell hammer grip incline bench two arm row primarily targets the lats and rhomboids, and also works the abs and obliques as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the dumbbell hammer grip incline bench two arm row?
- The dumbbell hammer grip incline bench two arm row uses dumbbell.
- Is the dumbbell hammer grip incline bench two arm row good for beginners?
- The dumbbell hammer grip incline bench two arm row is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
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