All Exercises
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Back Exercises

Strengthen your back muscles with these exercises.

Showing 211–239 of 239 exercises

Sumo Deadlift with Chains

You can attach the chains to the sleeves of the bar, or just drape the middle over the bar so there is a greater weight increase as you lift. Attempt to keep the ends of the chains away from the plates so you don't hit them when you lower the weight.

Hamstrings
Abductors
Adductors
Intermediate

Supine One-Arm Overhead Throw

Lay on the ground on your back with your knees bent. Hold the ball with one hand, extending the arm fully behind your head. This will be your starting position.

Core
Chest
Lats
Beginner

Supine Two-Arm Overhead Throw

Lay on the ground on your back with your knees bent.

Core
Chest
Lats
Beginner

Suspended Fallout

Adjust the straps so the handles are at an appropriate height, below waist level.

Core
Chest
Lower Back
Intermediate

Suspended Row

Suspend your straps at around chest height. Take a handle in each hand and lean back. Keep your body erect and your head and chest up. Your arms should be fully extended. This will be your starting position.

Middle Back
Biceps
Lats
Beginner

T-Bar Row with Handle

Position a bar into a landmine or in a corner to keep it from moving. Load an appropriate weight onto your end.

Middle Back
Biceps
Lats
Beginner

Tire Flip

Begin by gripping the bottom of the tire on the tread, and position your feet back a bit. Your chest should be driving into the tire.

Quadriceps
Calves
Chest
Intermediate

Triceps Stretch

Reach your hand behind your head, grasp your elbow and gently pull. Hold for 10 to 20 seconds, then switch sides.

Triceps
Lats
Beginner

Two-Arm Kettlebell Clean

Place two kettlebells between your feet. To get in the starting position, push your butt back and look straight ahead.

Shoulders
Calves
Glutes
Intermediate

Two-Arm Kettlebell Row

Place two kettlebells in front of your feet. Bend your knees slightly and then push your butt out as much as possible as you bend over to get in the starting position.

Middle Back
Biceps
Lats
Intermediate

Underhand Cable Pulldowns

Sit down on a pull-down machine with a wide bar attached to the top pulley. Adjust the knee pad of the machine to fit your height. These pads will prevent your body from being raised by the resistance attached to the bar.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Beginner

Upper Back-Leg Grab

While seated, bend forward to hug your thighs from underneath with both arms.

Hamstrings
Lower Back
Middle Back
Beginner

Upper Back Stretch

Clasp fingers together with your thumbs pointing down, round your shoulders as you reach your hands forward.

Middle Back
Beginner

Upright Barbell Row

Grasp a barbell with an overhand grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The bar should be resting on the top of your thighs with your arms extended and a slight bend in your elbows. Your back should also be straight. This will be your starting position.

Shoulders
Traps
Beginner

Upright Cable Row

Grasp a straight bar cable attachment that is attached to a low pulley with a pronated (palms facing your thighs) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The bar 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
Shoulders
Intermediate

Upright Row - With Bands

To begin, stand on an exercise band so that tension begins at arm's length. Grasp the handles using a pronated (palms facing your thighs) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The handles 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
Shoulders
Beginner

Upward Stretch

Extend both hands straight above your head, palms touching.

Shoulders
Chest
Lats
Beginner

V-Bar Pulldown

Sit down on a pull-down machine with a V-Bar attached to the top pulley.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Intermediate

V-Bar Pullup

Start by placing the middle of the V-bar in the middle of the pull-up bar (assuming that the pull-up station you are using does not have neutral grip handles). The V-Bar handles will be facing down so that you can hang from the pull-up bar through the use of the handles.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Beginner

Weighted Ball Hyperextension

To begin, lie down on an exercise ball with your torso pressing against the ball and parallel to the floor. The ball of your feet should be pressed against the floor to help keep you balanced. Place a weighted plate under your chin or behind your neck. This is the starting position.

Lower Back
Glutes
Hamstrings
Intermediate

Weighted Jump Squat

Position a lightly loaded barbell across the back of your shoulders. You could also use a weighted vest, sandbag, or other type of resistance for this exercise.

Quadriceps
Calves
Glutes
Intermediate

Weighted Pull Ups

Attach a weight to a dip belt and secure it around your waist. Grab the pull-up bar with the palms of your hands facing forward. For a medium grip, your hands should be spaced at shoulder width. Both arms should be extended in front of you holding the bar at the chosen grip.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Intermediate

Wide-Grip Lat Pulldown

Sit down on a pull-down machine with a wide bar attached to the top pulley. Make sure that you adjust the knee pad of the machine to fit your height. These pads will prevent your body from being raised by the resistance attached to the bar.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Beginner

Wide-Grip Pulldown Behind The Neck

Sit down on a pull-down machine with a wide bar attached to the top pulley. Make sure that you adjust the knee pad of the machine to fit your height. These pads will prevent your body from being raised by the resistance attached to the bar.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Intermediate

Wide-Grip Rear Pull-Up

Grab the pull-up bar with the palms facing forward using a wide grip.

Lats
Biceps
Middle Back
Intermediate

Wide Stance Barbell Squat

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
Glutes
Intermediate

Wide Stance Stiff Legs

Begin with a barbell loaded on the floor. Adopt a wide stance, and then bend at the hips to grab the bar. Your hips should be as far back as possible, and your legs nearly straight. Keep your back straight, and your head and chest up. This will be your starting position.

Hamstrings
Adductors
Glutes
Intermediate

Windmills

Lie on your back with your arms extended out to the sides and your legs straight. This will be your starting position.

Abductors
Glutes
Hamstrings
Intermediate

Yoke Walk

The yoke is usually done with a yoke apparatus, but is sometimes seen with refrigerators or other heavy objects.

Quadriceps
Core
Abductors
Intermediate