Dumbbell rows are a compound exercise that work multiple muscle groups simultaneously, primarily hitting the major back muscles, including the latissimus dorsi, trapezius, and posterior deltoids. The secondary worked muscles are the biceps, forearm flexors, and rotator cuffs. The exercise involves bending forward at the hip with a weight in one hand, that weight hanging toward the floor. The weight is then pulled upward, closer to the chest, before lowering it back to the starting position. The torso and lower body remain stationary during a dumbbell row as the movement is mainly in the shoulder blades.

In addition to building back muscles, dumbbell rows can also improve core stability, posture, and grip strength. They can also help correct muscle imbalances and work the back from a variety of angles.

Variations of the dumbbell row include the barbell row, cable row, T-bar row, and inverted row. It is important to maintain proper form during the exercise, keeping the torso still and the arms close to the sides.

Athletes who can benefit from adding dumbbell rows to their workout routines include powerlifters, Olympic lifters, and CrossFitters.