10 Alternatives to Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
The Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row is done seated with dumbbells. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Inverted Row Bent Knees, the Elbow Lift - Reverse Push-up and the Inverted Row On Bench.
Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works
Original Exercise: Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Primary muscle
- Upper Back
- Equipment
- Dumbbell
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Type
- Compound
Secondary muscles: Biceps, Forearms
How to perform Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Set up an incline bench at a 45-degree angle.
- Sit on the bench with your chest against the backrest and your feet flat on the ground.
- Hold a dumbbell in each hand with an underhand grip.
- Lean forward and let your arms hang straight down, fully extended.
- Pull the dumbbells up towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Ranked Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row Alternatives
10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.
Best match 1. Inverted Row Bent Knees
76% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Beginner
- Compound
Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the upper back with bodyweight alone.
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a bar at waist height and lie underneath it.
- Grab the bar with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Position your body so that your heels are on the ground and your body is straight.
- Pull your chest up towards the bar by squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
2. Elbow Lift - Reverse Push-up
76% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by lying face down on the ground with your legs extended and your hands placed directly under your shoulders.
- Engage your core and press through your palms to lift your upper body off the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
- Pause at the top for a moment, squeezing your upper back muscles.
- Slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying on your back, not seated
3. Inverted Row On Bench
75% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a bench at a height that allows your body to hang freely underneath it.
- Lie face up on the ground with your head towards the bench.
- Reach up and grab the bench with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Position your body so that your heels are on the ground and your arms are fully extended.
- Engage your core and squeeze your shoulder blades together as you pull your chest up towards the bench.
- Pause for a moment at the top of the movement, then slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
4. Elevator
66% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Place your hands on your hips or cross them in front of your chest.
- Keeping your back straight, slowly bend forward at the waist, lowering your upper body towards the ground.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then slowly raise your upper body back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: standing, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
5. Skin The Cat
63% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Start by hanging from a bar with your arms fully extended and your body relaxed.
- Engage your core and lift your legs up, bringing your knees towards your chest.
- Continue to lift your legs up and over your head, allowing your body to pass through the arms.
- Once your legs are fully extended over your head, begin to lower them back down towards the starting position.
- As you lower your legs, allow your body to pass back through the arms until you are hanging with your arms fully extended again.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
6. Hyperextension
62% match- Spine
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
A looser match: it works the spinal erectors rather than the upper back.
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your upper thighs are resting on the pad and your feet are secured.
- Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
- Lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: spine, not upper back
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not seated
7. Hyperextension (On Bench)
62% match- Spine
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Adjust the hyperextension bench so that your hips are resting comfortably on the pad and your feet are secured.
- Cross your arms over your chest or place your hands behind your head.
- Slowly lower your upper body towards the ground while keeping your back straight.
- Pause for a moment at the bottom, then raise your upper body back up until it is in line with your legs.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: spine, not upper back
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: lying face down, not seated
8. Inverted Row
61% match- Lats
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a bar at waist height or use a suspension trainer.
- Stand facing the bar or suspension trainer, with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Grab the bar or handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- Lean back, keeping your body straight and your heels on the ground.
- Pull your chest towards the bar or handles, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: lats, not upper back
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
9. Inverted Row With Straps
60% match- Lats
- Bodyweight
- Intermediate
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Set up a suspension trainer or straps at chest height.
- Stand facing the anchor point and grab the handles with an overhand grip.
- Walk your feet forward, leaning back until your body is at an angle.
- Keep your body straight and engage your core.
- Pull your chest towards the handles, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower yourself back to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: lats, not upper back
- Equipment: a suspension trainer, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
10. Front Lever Reps
58% match- Upper Back
- Bodyweight
- Advanced
- Compound
How to perform this exercise
- Hang from a pull-up bar with an overhand grip, palms facing away from you.
- Engage your core and pull your shoulder blades down and back.
- Keeping your body straight, lift your legs up until they are parallel to the ground.
- Hold this position for as long as you can, aiming for 10-20 seconds.
- Slowly lower your legs back down to the starting position.
- Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.
Why this matches
- Primary muscle: upper back, the same as the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
- Equipment: bodyweight only, not free weights
- Body position: hanging, not seated
- Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row
Why You Might Need a Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row Alternative
You may substitute this exercise because of shoulder or wrist pain from the reverse grip, lack of an incline bench, or limited loading options. Chest-supported rows reduce lumbar shear and force the scapula to retract, increasing rhomboid and posterior deltoid activation compared with unsupported bent-over rows. Underhand barbell rows preserve the elbow-forward pull pattern and maintain biceps involvement if you need heavier load. Inverted rows give a bodyweight option that minimizes compressive spinal forces; cue: keep a straight plank line and pull the chest to the bar to maximize upper-back recruitment.
Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row FAQ
What muscles does Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row work?
It primarily targets upper-back muscles: rhomboids, middle trapezius, and posterior deltoids, with secondary involvement from the lats and biceps. The reverse (underhand) grip increases biceps activation and slightly shifts emphasis toward the lower portion of the lats while keeping the scapula-driven horizontal pull pattern.
What is the best bodyweight alternative to Dumbbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Two Arm Row?
The inverted row (supine row) is the best bodyweight substitute, perform it with an underhand or neutral grip and feet elevated to increase load. Cue: keep a rigid plank line, retract the scapula, and pull the chest to the bar to maximize rhomboid and posterior delt activation.
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