Exercise guide
Dumbbell Renegade Row On Stability Ball
- Advanced
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
This advanced compound movement integrates intense core stabilization with a horizontal pull, forcing the obliques and deep stabilizers to work overtime to maintain balance on an unstable surface.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Place two hex-shaped dumbbells on the floor shoulder-width apart.
- Carefully place your feet on the center of the stability ball and grip the dumbbells to enter a high plank position.
- Position your shoulders directly over your wrists and ensure your body forms a straight line from head to heels.
- Set your feet slightly wider on the ball for more stability, or closer together to increase the challenge.
How to do it
- Inhale and brace your core and glutes to lock your pelvis in place.
- Exhale as you row one dumbbell toward your hip, driving the elbow back while keeping it tucked close to your torso.
- Inhale as you lower the dumbbell back to the floor with total control, preventing the weight from slamming.
- Alternate sides for each rep, focusing on keeping the stability ball and your hips perfectly still throughout the transition.
Form checklist
- Keep hips square to the floor; do not allow them to rotate as you row.
- Maintain a neutral spine and avoid letting your lower back sag toward the floor.
- Keep your neck neutral by looking at a point about 6 inches in front of the dumbbells.
- Ensure the stationary arm remains locked out and stable.
Pro tips
- Actively push the stationary dumbbell into the floor to create a 'tripod' of stability between your hand and the ball.
- Focus on pulling the weight with your elbow rather than your hand to maximize lat and rhomboid recruitment.
- Squeeze your quads and glutes as hard as possible to turn your body into a rigid plank, which minimizes ball movement.
Make it harder
- Add a push-up on the dumbbells between every alternating row.
- Slow the eccentric (lowering) phase of the row to a 3-second count to increase time under tension.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the dumbbell renegade row on stability ball work?
- The dumbbell renegade row on stability ball primarily targets the lats, rhomboids, and trapezius, and also works the erector spinae and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the dumbbell renegade row on stability ball?
- The dumbbell renegade row on stability ball uses dumbbell.
- Is the dumbbell renegade row on stability ball good for beginners?
- The dumbbell renegade row on stability ball is rated advanced. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.