Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler banked on smart exercise selections to carry him to the top of the sport. In a recent YouTube video shared on July 31, 2025, he detailed three common one-arm dumbbell row mistakes that might be crushing your gains.
Cutler competed when mass monsters were running rampant in the IFBB Pro League. In 2006, his consistency paid off; thanks to his dense muscles and condition, he took the Mr. Olympia crown from eight-time champion Ronnie Coleman.
Cutler’s reign was short-lived, though, as Dexter Jackson caught him slipping in 2008. This set the groundwork for the sport’s most iconic comeback at the 2009 Mr. Olympia, where Cutler, despite being counted out, dominated to win back the Sandow. In retirement, he still trains seven days a week and breaks down some of the secrets behind his success.
Jay Cutler’s 3 Most Common One-Arm Dumbbell Row Mistakes to Avoid
Find his mistakes below from the recent YouTube video:
- Don’t pull up, pull to the hip
- Stretch fibers with head straight up
- Don’t stand straight
Cutler recommended pulling to the hip during one-arm dumbbell rows for optimal results.
“Three common mistakes for my favorite movement for back, which is the one-arm dumbbell row. The number one mistake is going to be you don’t want to pull up, that’s going to be more of your shoulder, pull to your hip, Keep the head up, and pull to the hip.”
He’s also observed lifters who limit the range of motion, leaving gains on the table due to a lack of stretch.
“The number two most common mistake is the extension of the dumbbell. I see everyone doing this movement, you actually want to get a nice stretch, really accentuate that lat, and then to the hip. Remember: head stays up.”
Body positioning is critical for the one-arm dumbbell row, so Cutler said it’s best to stand bent over versus straight.
“The third most common mistake: body position. People tend to stand more straight up; you need to have a good position of the body where you are kind of bent over, stretch that lat and pull, just like you’re doing a machine row or cable row, but don’t make those mistakes,” shared Cutler.
Since turning 50, Cutler admits his training and nutrition have undergone big changes. His 100-gram protein breakfast is no more — instead, Cutler now relies on two eggs and a protein shake to fuel his mornings and afternoons.
Throughout his career, Cutler boasted a monstrous back. If you’re struggling with back training, Cutler’s one-arm dumbbell row tips could be the missing puzzle piece in your routine.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Reveals How He Built 20-Inch Calves in His Prime
Watch the full video from the JayCutlerTV YouTube channel below:
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