Developing the upper body with these 8 best exercises for a wider back is a must for any athlete that wants to have big shoulders and a narrow waist – also known as the V-shaped back.
Max Posternak, behind YouTube channel Gravity Transformation, goes over his best exercises for a wider back and includes training techniques to incorporate to make your back bigger.
Let’s delve into it.
Table of Contents
The 8 best exercises for a wider back
Before you do these exercises make sure you are:
- Concentrating on targeting the back muscles: isolate the muscles as much as possible and perform each rep with clean technique, making sure you’re not being aided by other upper body muscles.
- Progressively overloading each exercise: the most effective way to build muscle is through progressive overload. Our muscles adapt to progressively greater demands, so to grow them our cells need to be exposed to higher workloads than they are used to.
- Getting a good stretch in: make sure you’re fully extending your limbs at the negative portion of each exercise.
1 – Long Angle Dumbbell Row
Source: Alora Griffiths on UnsplashThis is essentially the same exercise as the dumbbell row, except that you will bring the dumbbell up further back, closer to your hips, instead than towards your belly button.
This modification almost takes your biceps completely out of the movement and put all the tension on your lats and the back of your shoulders, explains Posternak.
Read more: Most Common Dumbbell Row Mistakes and How to Fix Them
2 – Close Grip and Wide Grip Pull-Ups
“Both grips will provide unique benefits for your back,” says Posternak. Wide grips use the lats muscle more and the biceps less, while close grip pull-ups incorporate the biceps and pecs more, allowing you to do more reps or more weight.
Read more: How to Get a Pull-Up: Form, Progressions, Training Tips and More
3 – Standing Cable Pullover
Source: FitNish Media on UnsplashThe exercise primarily targets and improves the lats.
The latissimus dorsi are the largest muscle group located on the back of the human body. They are hugely important for all pulling exercises and provide stability and support for the spine.
Read more: How to Build Impressive Muscle and Back Strength with the Wide Grip Pulldown
4 – Reverse Grip Rows
This row variation targets the lower lats more than the middle of your back. Make sure you pull your shoulders back and stick the chest out to maintain the natural curve in your spine, advices Posternak.
5 – Deadlift
This is one of the best exercises to develop a thicker, wider and stronger back, says Posternak. You can lift the most amount of weight during the deadlift than with any other lift so, after mastering the proper deadlift form, make sure you add some weight.
6 – Dumbbell and Barbell Pullovers
This is another one of the best exercises for a wider back when done properly. When done right, the exercise hits everything from the bottom of your pecs to your abs, lats and triceps.
Read more: Dumbbell Pullover: How to Do It, Muscles Worked, Benefits and Workouts
7 – Lat Pulldown
The lat pulldown is a popular gym exercise performed with a machine and used to strengthen and build the lats muscles.
It is performed by stretching the arms overhead and pulling a bar toward you, your hands reaching shoulder height, and releasing the bar back up in a controlled manner for one repetition.
Read more: The Lat Pulldown: One Sure-Fire Way to Grow a Bigger Back
8 – Seated Cable Row
The Cable Row is a horizontal seated pulling exercise that challenges and improves the upper body.
The feet are braced in position and the athlete sits on a bench in order pull the weighted cable and complete the exercise.
Read more: How to Build A Muscular Back with the Cable Row – Technique and Mistakes to Avoid
How to use these best exercises for a wider back
- Don’t do all exercises all in one day, select instead 4 to 5 exercises and perform each for 3 sets of 6 to 10 reps with a 2 to 3 minute break in between.
- Aim for a heavy, challenging load.
- Start with your biggest lifts, such as the deadlift or the barbell row.
- You’ll also need to optimise your nutrition to maximise muscle growth.
- Learn more helpful tips on How to Build a V Shaped Back.
Read more: Can You Lose Fat and Gain Muscle at the Same Time?
u003cstrongu003eWhy is it important to develop a wider back?u003c/strongu003e
Developing a wider back helps create a V-shaped physique, characterized by broad shoulders and a narrow waist, which is aesthetically pleasing and enhances upper body strength and stability.
u003cstrongu003eWhat are the 8 best exercises for a wider back?u003c/strongu003e
Long Angle Dumbbell Rowu003cbru003eClose Grip and Wide Grip Pull-Upsu003cbru003eStanding Cable Pulloveru003cbru003eReverse Grip Rowsu003cbru003eDeadliftu003cbru003eDumbbell and Barbell Pulloversu003cbru003eLat Pulldownu003cbru003eSeated Cable Row
u003cstrongu003eHow should I approach these exercises for maximum effectiveness?u003c/strongu003e
Focus on isolating the back muscles, progressively overloading each exercise, and getting a good stretch in the negative portion of each movement.
u003cstrongu003eHow do Close Grip and Wide Grip Pull-Ups differ?u003c/strongu003e
Wide grip pull-ups emphasize the lats more and involve the biceps less, while close grip pull-ups incorporate the biceps and pecs more, allowing for more repetitions or heavier weights.
u003cstrongu003eHow do Reverse Grip Rows benefit the back?u003c/strongu003e
This variation targets the lower lats more than the middle back. Proper form involves pulling the shoulders back and sticking the chest out to maintain a natural spine curve.
u003cstrongu003eWhy is the Deadlift considered one of the best exercises for the back?u003c/strongu003e
The deadlift allows for lifting the most weight compared to other lifts, significantly developing back thickness, width, and overall strength.
u003cstrongu003eHow should I structure my back workouts using these exercises?u003c/strongu003e
Select 4 to 5 exercises per session and perform each for 3 sets of 6 to 10 reps with a 2 to 3-minute break between sets. Focus on heavy, challenging loads and start with the biggest lifts like deadlifts or barbell rows.
What additional tips can help maximize muscle growth for a wider back?
Optimize your nutrition to support muscle growth, including a balanced diet rich in protein. Ensure progressive overload in your workouts and maintain proper form to avoid injuries.
u003cstrongu003eCan I lose fat and gain muscle at the same time?u003c/strongu003e
Yes, with the right combination of resistance training, proper nutrition, and adequate rest, it is possible to lose fat and gain muscle simultaneously.
This content is originated from https://www.boxrox.com your Online Magazine for Competitive Fitness.