Back exercises

Lats, rhomboids, traps and the muscles along the spine: this is where the rows, pull-ups and lower-back work live. Equipment decides a lot here — pull-ups need a bar, most rows want a barbell, dumbbells or a cable machine, and a few moves need nothing at all. Cover both directions in a week, a vertical pull and a horizontal row, because they load the back differently. If you feel a row mostly in your arms, pull your shoulder blades back first and bend the elbows second.

  • World’s Greatest Stretch

    The World's Greatest Stretch is a dynamic exercise that targets multiple muscle groups, enhancing flexibility, mobility, and overall functional movement. It is particularly effective for warming up the body before a workout, focusing on the hips, hamstrings, thoracic spine, and shoulders.
    ChestBeginner

  • Seal Row

    The Seal Row is a strength training exercise targeting the upper back, specifically the rhomboids, traps, and rear deltoids. It is performed lying face down on a bench with weights, typically dumbbells or a barbell, pulled towards the chest. This exercise helps improve posture and enhances upper body strength.
    BackIntermediate

  • Rowing Machine

    The rowing machine, also known as an ergometer, is a cardiovascular and strength training device that simulates the action of watercraft rowing. It engages multiple muscle groups, including the legs, back, arms, and core, providing a full-body workout. The machine consists of a sliding seat, footrests with straps, and a handle attached to a flywheel or resistance mechanism.
    BackBeginner

  • Rings Pull-Up

    The Rings Pull Up is a bodyweight exercise performed using gymnastic rings. It primarily targets the muscles of the upper back, biceps, and shoulders, while also engaging the core for stabilization. This exercise enhances grip strength and improves overall upper body strength and coordination.
    BackIntermediate

  • Trap Bar Deadlift

    The Trap Bar Deadlift is a compound exercise targeting the lower body, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. It utilizes a hexagonal barbell, allowing for a more upright torso position and reducing stress on the lower back compared to a conventional deadlift.
    LegsIntermediate

  • Kneeling Back Rotation Stretch

    The Kneeling Back Rotation Stretch is a mobility exercise designed to improve thoracic spine rotation and enhance flexibility in the upper back. It is particularly beneficial for individuals looking to increase range of motion and reduce stiffness in the back, shoulders, and neck.
    ChestBeginner

  • Weighted Chin Up

    Weighted Chin Up is a vertical pulling exercise with an underhand grip and resistance added to bodyweight. It trains the lats, biceps, and upper back and provides a load progression from an unweighted chin-up.
    BicepsIntermediate

  • Band Pulldown Behind Neck

    The 'Band Pull Down Behind Neck' exercise targets the upper back muscles, particularly the latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, and trapezius. It involves pulling a resistance band down behind the neck while maintaining proper posture and control. This exercise helps improve shoulder mobility and upper back strength.
    BackBeginner

  • Chest Supported Machine Row

    The Chest Supported Row Machine is designed to target the muscles of the upper back, including the rhomboids, trapezius, and latissimus dorsi, while minimizing strain on the lower back. This machine provides support for the chest, allowing for a more isolated and controlled rowing motion.
    BackBeginner

  • Dip Shrugs

    Dip Shrugs are an upper body exercise targeting the trapezius muscles and shoulders. This movement involves a shrugging motion while supporting your body weight on parallel bars, enhancing shoulder stability and strength.
    BackIntermediate

  • Smith Shoulder Shrug

    The Smith Shoulder Shrug is an isolation exercise targeting the trapezius muscles. Utilizing the Smith machine provides a controlled environment, allowing for a focus on muscle contraction and minimizing the risk of injury. This exercise is ideal for building strength and size in the upper back and neck area.
    BackIntermediate

  • Kettlebell Clean and Jerk

    The Kettlebell Clean and Jerk is a dynamic, full-body exercise that combines strength, power, and endurance. It involves lifting a kettlebell from the ground to the shoulder (clean) and then pressing it overhead (jerk). This exercise targets multiple muscle groups including the shoulders, legs, core, and back, making it an effective compound movement for building functional strength.
    ShouldersAdvanced

  • Prone Swimmer

    The Prone Swimmer is a bodyweight exercise that targets the muscles of the upper back, shoulders, and core. It mimics the swimming motion while lying face down, enhancing shoulder mobility and stability. This exercise is beneficial for improving posture and strengthening the posterior chain.
    BackAdvanced

  • Pull-Up Neutral Grip

    The Pull-Up Neutral Grip is a compound upper body exercise targeting the back, shoulders, and arms. It involves pulling your body up using a bar with palms facing each other, which reduces strain on the shoulders and wrists compared to other pull-up variations.
    BackIntermediate

  • Lever Low Row

    The Lever Low Row is a strength training exercise targeting the muscles of the back, specifically the latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, and trapezius. This exercise is performed using a lever machine designed to simulate the rowing motion, providing a controlled environment to focus on muscle contraction and form.
    BackIntermediate

  • Australian Pull-Up Underhand Grip

    The Australian Pull-Up Underhand Grip, also known as an inverted row with a supine grip, is a bodyweight exercise targeting the upper back, biceps, and forearms. It involves pulling your chest towards a bar while your body remains in a horizontal position, with feet on the ground and palms facing you.
    BackIntermediate

  • One-Arm Band Kneeling Lat Pulldown

    The One-Arm Band Kneeling Lat Pulldown is an isolation exercise targeting the latissimus dorsi muscles. It involves using a resistance band to simulate the motion of a lat pulldown while in a kneeling position, allowing for unilateral training and improved muscle engagement.
    BackBeginner

  • One-Arm Landmine Bent Over Row

    The One-Arm Landmine Bent Over Row, also known as the Meadows row, is an effective unilateral exercise targeting the upper back, specifically the lats, rhomboids, and traps. It also engages the core for stabilization. This exercise is performed using a landmine setup, which allows for a unique range of motion and can help improve muscle imbalances.
    BackIntermediate

  • Cable Thibaudeau Kayak Row

    Cable Thibaudeau Kayak Row is a cable back exercise that uses an alternating pulling pattern resembling a kayak stroke. It develops the lats, upper back, biceps, and coordinated trunk control.
    BackIntermediate

  • Snatch Pull

    Snatch Pull is an explosive barbell exercise that develops the pulling phase of the snatch without an overhead catch. It combines leg and hip extension with upper-back work to train force production and coordination for Olympic weightlifting.
    LegsAdvanced

  • Standing Side Lat Stretch

    The Standing Side Lat Stretch is a flexibility exercise targeting the latissimus dorsi muscles, which are located on the sides of the back. This stretch helps improve range of motion in the shoulders and upper back, and can aid in reducing muscle tightness and enhancing overall posture.
    BackBeginner

  • Seated Dumbbell Shrugs

    The Seated Dumbbell Shrug is an isolation exercise targeting the trapezius muscles. It involves lifting the shoulders towards the ears while holding dumbbells, performed in a seated position to minimize lower body involvement and focus on the upper back.
    BackIntermediate

  • L Pull-Up

    The L Pull-Up is an advanced bodyweight exercise that combines a pull-up with an isometric hold in an L-sit position. This exercise targets the upper back, biceps, core, and hip flexors, demanding significant strength and stability.
    BackIntermediate

  • Hang Power Clean

    The Hang Power Clean is a dynamic weightlifting exercise that primarily targets the muscles of the posterior chain, including the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back, as well as the shoulders and arms. It involves lifting a barbell from a hanging position to the shoulders in one explosive movement.
    LegsAdvanced