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Back Exercises

Strengthen your back muscles with these exercises.

Showing 181–210 of 241 exercises

Sled Row
Beginner

Sled Row

Attach dual handles to a sled connected by a rope or chain. Load the sled to an appropriate weight. Face the sled, backing up until there is some tension in the line.

Middle Back
Biceps
+1
Other
Smith Machine Behind the Back Shrug
Beginner

Smith Machine Behind the Back Shrug

With the bar at thigh level, load an appropriate weight.

Traps
Shoulders
Machine
Smith Machine Bent Over Row
Beginner

Smith Machine Bent Over Row

Set the barbell attached to the smith machine to a height that is about 2 inches below your knees.

Middle Back
Biceps
+2
Machine
Smith Machine Hang Power Clean
Intermediate

Smith Machine Hang Power Clean

Position the bar at knee height and load it to an appropriate weight.

Hamstrings
Glutes
+4
Machine
Smith Machine One-Arm Upright Row
Beginner

Smith Machine One-Arm Upright Row

With the bar at thigh level, load an appropriate weight.

Shoulders
Biceps
+1
Machine
Smith Machine Squat
Beginner

Smith Machine Squat

To begin, first set the bar on the height that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.

Quadriceps
Calves
+3
Machine
Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift
Beginner

Smith Machine Stiff-Legged Deadlift

To begin, set the bar on the smith machine to a height that is around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grasp the bar using a pronated (palms forward) grip that is shoulder width apart. You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.

Hamstrings
Glutes
+1
Machine
Smith Machine Upright Row
Beginner

Smith Machine Upright Row

To begin, set the bar on the smith machine to a height that is around the middle of your thighs. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, grasp the bar using a pronated (palms forward) grip that is shoulder width apart. You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.

Traps
Biceps
+2
Machine
Snatch
Intermediate

Snatch

Place your feet at a shoulder width stance with the barbell resting right above the connection between the toes and the rest of the foot.

Quadriceps
Biceps
+6
Barbell
Snatch Deadlift
Intermediate

Snatch Deadlift

The snatch deadlift strengthens the first pull of the snatch. Begin with a wide snatch grip with the barbell placed on the platform. The feet should be directly under the hips, with the feet turned out. Squat down to the bar, keeping the back in absolute extension with the head facing forward.

Hamstrings
Forearms
+4
Barbell
Snatch from Blocks
Advanced

Snatch from Blocks

Begin with a loaded barbell on boxes or stands of the desired height. A wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar, with the elbows pointed out. This will be the starting position.

Quadriceps
Calves
+7
Barbell
Snatch Pull
Intermediate

Snatch Pull

With a barbell on the floor close to the shins, take a wide snatch grip. Lower your hips with the weight focused on the heels, back straight, head facing forward, chest up, with your shoulders just in front of the bar. This will be your starting position.

Hamstrings
Calves
+4
Barbell
Snatch Shrug
Intermediate

Snatch Shrug

Begin with a wide grip, with the bar hanging at the mid thigh position. You can use a hook or overhand grip. Your back should be straight and inclined slightly forward.

Traps
Forearms
+1
Barbell
Speed Squats
Advanced

Speed Squats

This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.

Quadriceps
Calves
+3
Barbell
Spinal Stretch
Beginner

Spinal Stretch

Sit in a chair so your back is straight and your feet planted on the floor.

Middle Back
Lats
+3
Bodyweight
Split Clean
Intermediate

Split Clean

With a barbell on the floor close to the shins, take an overhand grip just outside the legs. Lower your hips with the weight focused on the heels, back straight, head facing forward, chest up, with your shoulders just in front of the bar. This will be your starting position.

Quadriceps
Calves
+6
Barbell
Split Snatch
Advanced

Split Snatch

Begin with a loaded barbell on the floor. The bar should be close to or touching the shins, and a wide grip should be taken on the bar. The feet should be directly below the hips, with the feet turned out as needed. Lower the hips, with the chest up and the head looking forward. The shoulders should be just in front of the bar. This will be the starting position.

Hamstrings
Calves
+7
Barbell
Squats - With Bands
Beginner

Squats - With Bands

To start out, make sure that the exercise band is at an even split between both the left and right side of the body. To do this, use your hands to grab both sides of the band and place both feet in the middle of the band. Your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other.

Quadriceps
Calves
+3
Resistance Bands
Squat with Bands
Intermediate

Squat with Bands

Set up the bands on the sleeves, secured to either band pegs, the rack, or dumbbells so that there is appropriate tension.

Quadriceps
Adductors
+4
Barbell
Squat with Chains
Intermediate

Squat with Chains

To set up the chains, begin by looping the leader chain over the sleeves of the bar. The heavy chain should be attached using a snap hook. Adjust the length of the lead chain so that a few links are still on the floor at the top of the movement.

Quadriceps
Adductors
+4
Barbell
Standing Dumbbell Upright Row
Beginner

Standing Dumbbell Upright Row

Grasp a dumbbell in each hand with a pronated (palms forward) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The dumbbells should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position.

Traps
Biceps
+1
Dumbbells
Standing Pelvic Tilt
Beginner

Standing Pelvic Tilt

Start off with your feet hip-distance apart.

Lower Back
Glutes
Bodyweight
Standing Two-Arm Overhead Throw
Beginner

Standing Two-Arm Overhead Throw

Stand with your feet shoulder width apart holding a medicine ball in both hands. To begin, reach the medicine ball deep behind your head as you bend the knees slightly and lean back.

Shoulders
Chest
+1
Medicine Ball
Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning
Beginner

Stiff Leg Barbell Good Morning

This exercise is best performed inside a squat rack for safety purposes. To begin, first set the bar on a rack that best matches your height. Once the correct height is chosen and the bar is loaded, step under the bar and place the back of your shoulders (slightly below the neck) across it.

Lower Back
Glutes
+1
Barbell
Stiff-Legged Barbell Deadlift
Intermediate

Stiff-Legged Barbell Deadlift

Grasp a bar using an overhand grip (palms facing down). You may need some wrist wraps if using a significant amount of weight.

Hamstrings
Glutes
+1
Barbell
Stiff-Legged Dumbbell Deadlift
Beginner

Stiff-Legged Dumbbell Deadlift

Grasp a couple of dumbbells holding them by your side at arm's length.

Hamstrings
Glutes
+1
Dumbbells
Straight-Arm Dumbbell Pullover
Intermediate

Straight-Arm Dumbbell Pullover

Place a dumbbell standing up on a flat bench.

Chest
Lats
+2
Dumbbells
Straight-Arm Pulldown
Beginner

Straight-Arm Pulldown

You will start by grabbing the wide bar from the top pulley of a pulldown machine and using a wider than shoulder-width pronated (palms down) grip. Step backwards two feet or so.

Lats
Cable Machine
Straight Bar Bench Mid Rows
Beginner

Straight Bar Bench Mid Rows

Place a loaded barbell on the end of a bench. Standing on the bench behind the bar, take a medium, pronated grip. Stand with your hips back and chest up, maintaining a neutral spine. This will be your starting position.

Middle Back
Biceps
+1
Barbell
Straight Raises on Incline Bench
Beginner

Straight Raises on Incline Bench

Place a bar on the ground behind the head of an incline bench.

Shoulders
Traps
Barbell