What is the upright row exercise?

The upright row is an exercise that involves lifting a weight to chest height with an overhand grip, typically using a barbell or dumbbells. This movement primarily targets the shoulders and upper traps by holding the weight with arms extended in front of you and then pulling it up toward the chin, keeping the elbows higher than the hands.

However, Andrew Huberman and physical therapist Jeff Cavaliere raise concerns about this exercise. Cavaliere explains that the upright row can place the shoulder in a position of internal rotation combined with elevation, which can lead to shoulder impingement and other issues 1. He suggests alternatives, like the high pull, which adjusts the biomechanics to place less stress on the shoulder by allowing the hands to remain higher than the elbows, promoting external rotation instead 1.