Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Fix Your Form: How To Do The Perfect Dumbbell Row

Fix Your Form: How To Do The Perfect Dumbbell Row

If you don't know your way around a weight room, heading to the gym can be intimidating -- and even dangerous. But paying attention to a few simple rules of proper technique can make you slimmer, stronger and healthier all over.

That's why we asked John Romaniello, trainer, author and founder of Roman Fitness Systems to show us what's what when it comes to strength training.

He'll be helping us tackle some of the most common mistakes we all make while building muscle, plus tips and tricks for perfect form. This week, we're taking a closer look at the dumbbell row.

The Faux Pas: "The single-arm dumbbell row is generally well-performed in terms of the movement itself," says Romaniello. "What people screw up is their posture." Rounding the back can make your spine and shoulder vulnerable to injury, he says.
2012-05-25-rowbefore.jpg

The Fix: "Instead, make sure to keep a straight spine and brace the core," he says. Lift the weight up toward the hip until the upper arm is level with the back.
2012-05-25-rowafter.jpg

Now it's your turn. Evaluate your row form, then try the tips above. Tell us how it goes in the comments below, and be sure to check back over the following weeks to fix your squats, planks and more.

Check out more in our Fix Your Form series below:

  • Pushups: The Faux Pas

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/fix-your-form-pushup_n_1500458.html" target="_hplink">Find out how to do the perfect pushup here.</a>

  • Pushups: The Fix

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/fix-your-form-pushup_n_1500458.html" target="_hplink">Find out how to do the perfect pushup here.</a>

  • Lunges: The Faux Pas

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/fix-your-form-lunge_n_1515388.html" target="_hplink">Find out how to do the perfect lunge here.</a>

  • Lunges: The Fix

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/15/fix-your-form-lunge_n_1515388.html" target="_hplink">Find out how to do the perfect lunge here.</a>

  • Crunches: The Faux Pas

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/fix-your-form-crunches_n_1533341.html" target="_hplink">Find out how to do the perfect crunch here.</a>

  • Crunches: The Fix

    <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/22/fix-your-form-crunches_n_1533341.html" target="_hplink">Find out how to do the perfect crunch here.</a>

  • Related Video

Photos by Damon Dahlen, AOL

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Source: www.huffingtonpost.com