Summary

Upper back exercises are essential for building strength, improving posture, and preventing injuries caused by modern sedentary lifestyles. A strong upper back not only supports better lifts but also enhances shoulder mobility and overall fitness. Incorporate these exercises into your routine twice a week for a healthier, stronger back and improved posture.

One of the best ways to minimize back pain and to prevent future injuries is by doing upper back exercises. Our new slouching lifestyle, whether over a laptop or smartphone, is causing horrid posture and back health. This poor posture is responsible for back and neck pain in numerous individuals.

This is just one reason to incorporate upper back exercises into your workout regimes. Another reason is, if you want to lift more and have the prestigious V-shaped back, then you need this list of upper back exercises. There are two bodyweight movements in this list.

They are perfect for warm-ups or as a part of your regime. Bodyweight workouts are also an effective way to build mass and strength. If you want to turn this list of upper back exercises into a workout, then just choose 4 exercises from the weight/equipment category along with the 2 bodyweight upper back exercises for a complete back workout.

Related: Guide To Back Muscles: Anatomy, Common Pain and Best Exercises

Upper Back Exercises

This list of upper back exercises has bodyweight exercises and movements that require machines/equipment. If you want a thorough upper back workout, then you should choose any four of the exercises with equipment and the bodyweight movements.

Pull-up

Muscles worked: Latissimus dorsi and trapezius

How to do pull-ups:

Grab a pull-up bar with an overhand grip shoulder-width apart
Now, keeping your back straight, pull yourself up
Imagine, pulling your shoulder blades back and downwards to utilize upper back muscles

Source: Verywell Fit

Superman

Muscles worked: Upper and lower back, glutes, hamstrings and core.

How to do Superman:

Lie face down with your arms and legs stretched outwards
Now, exhale as your lift your arms, legs, head and upper back off the ground
Next, hold this u-shape for at least 3 to 5 seconds
Lower down to starting position

Source: Greatist

Dumbbell Shrugs

Muscles Worked: Trapezius muscles

How to do dumbbell shrugs:

Hold a dumbbell in each hand
Your feet should be shoulder-width apart
Turn your palms to face your sides
Slightly bend your knees
Now, bring your shoulder up as high as you can
Do the movement slowly for an increased burn
Finally, lower your shoulders down

Source: Men's Health

Dumbbell Reverse Fly

Muscles worked: Trapezius and deltoids

How to do a dumbbell reverse fly:

Stand shoulder-width apart with dumbbells in each hand
Hinge your hips till your chest is parallel to the floor
Now, your palms should face each other
Next, raise both your arms out to the side by squeezing your shoulder blades
Your elbows should have a slight bend
Finally, lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position

Source: Healthline

Face Pull

Muscles worked: Deltoids and trapezius

How to do face pull:

Set up a pulley machine, use an attachment that has two holds
Attach the attachment from the overhead side
Grab the handles with both hands
Now, step back until your arms are stretched out
Next, lean back slightly and pull the rope towards your face
Pause for a moment before returning to a rest position

Source: Healthline

Rows

This list has 4 kinds of rows, it's not necessary nor recommended to do all 4 in one workout. Any two should be more than enough to hit all of your upper back muscles.

Dumbbell Row

Muscles Worked: The latissimus dorsi and rhomboids of your back. Perform all rows to chest level to work your upper back muscles. Because this is a compound exercise, it also works your shoulders, biceps, and forearms.

How to do dumbbell row:

Stand with a bench in front of you
Hold a dumbbell in one hand and put the opposite palm on the bench
Bend your hips and your back should be straight
Now, bring the dumbbell up from the resting position
Row the dumbbell up till chest level
Finally, pause for a moment before letting it down

Source: Men's Health

Barbell Bent Over Row

Muscles worked: Middle, lower and upper traps, rhomboid major and minor and rear deltoids.

How to do barbell bent over row:

Grab the barbell with an overhand grip
Make sure your hands are shoulder-width apart
Hinge your hips and slightly bend your knees
Your torso should be parallel to the ground
Your back should also have a natural arch
Now, pull the bar up to your chest
Next, hold this position for a moment before lowering the weight

Source: Men's Health

Seated Cable Row

Muscles worked: Latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, trapezius and biceps. How to do seated cable row:

Sit on a seated row machine and adjust the weight
Plant your feet on the footpads and bend your knees
Now, bend your elbows and pull the handle backward
Bring it back to chest level and pause for a few seconds

Source: Women's Health

Band Bent Over Row

Muscles Worked: The latissimus dorsi and rhomboids of your back. Perform all rows to chest level to work your upper back muscles. Because this is a compound exercise, it also works your shoulders, biceps, and forearms.

How to do band bent over row:

Choose a challenging resistance band
Stand in the middle of the band
Now, grab the band from each side
Next, hinge your hips with a slight bend in your knees
Make sure your back stays straight
Now, squeeze your shoulders and pull the bands back
You have to bring the band back to your chest
Pause for a moment before returning to the resting position

Why Do You Need To Do Upper Back Exercises?

You need a strong back for numerous reasons, but to boil it down to two factors: health and fitness. A strong back is needed to lift more. It's not just your lower body squatting, your back is in play too.

It helps stabilize your body, allowing for the movement in the first place. Also, if you’re looking to bench press an impressive weight, your chest and arms will be needing help from your back.

Luckily, you can workout your back more often than your other muscle groups. So, this list of upper back exercises can be done twice in a week if not more. Upper back exercises workout your rotator cuff, rhomboids, and traps, this improves shoulder mobility and health. Also, like it's popularly known, a healthy back equals good posture.

Key Takeaway

Incorporating upper back exercises into your fitness regime can help you fix your posture, lift more weights and prevent future injuries. You can either make your own back workouts or check out one of these thorough workouts to help build a powerful upper back.

FAQs

What is the best exercise for the upper back?

Pull-ups and rows are among the best exercises for targeting the upper back muscles, including the traps, lats, and rhomboids. Both movements build strength, enhance posture, and develop the iconic V-shape. Pair these exercises with others like face pulls and dumbbell reverse flys for a balanced upper back routine.

How to get a ripped upper back?

To achieve a ripped upper back, focus on progressive overload using compound movements like barbell rows, pull-ups, and seated cable rows. Incorporate isolation exercises like shrugs and reverse flys to define smaller muscle groups. Combine this with a high-protein diet and consistent workouts to see results.

How do I get a flat upper back?

Improving posture through exercises like rows, face pulls, and dumbbell shrugs helps reduce the appearance of a rounded upper back. Strengthening the rhomboids and traps can improve muscle tone and create a flatter, healthier back. Consistency in upper back workouts and good posture habits is key.

How to strengthen upper back and neck muscles?

To strengthen upper back and neck muscles, include exercises like dumbbell shrugs, face pulls, and superman stretches in your routine. These target the traps, deltoids, and supporting neck muscles, enhancing stability and reducing neck strain. Regular stretching and maintaining good posture complement these exercises effectively.

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