Best Back Workouts To Build Muscle Mass For Men

About

This workout focuses on developing muscle mass through a combination of compound and isolation movements targeting the back.

Exercises include rows, pull-ups, and lat pull-downs, which emphasize pulling actions and improve upper torso strength.

Reps and weights are adjusted for the average male specification (5’10", 180 lbs, and 35 years old), although individual capabilities will vary.

Programming prioritizes moderate weights with higher repetitions to support hypertrophic growth.

The 15 Best Back Exercises to Build Muscle Mass for Men

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Cable Row

    SETS LOGGED
    6,108,322
    Back Strength
    98 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Row Cable
    Row Cable

    The Cable Row is an exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a cable machine for proper positioning and resistance control, helping you build muscle and strength in your upper body.

    How to do it

    The Cable Row is an exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a cable machine for proper positioning and resistance control, helping you build muscle and strength in your upper body.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 2. Dumbbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    8,648,581
    Back Strength
    99 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Row is a great exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps while also engaging your core for stability. You can do this exercise using a flat bench and dumbbells, making it accessible even with limited equipment.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Row is a great exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps while also engaging your core for stability. You can do this exercise using a flat bench and dumbbells, making it accessible even with limited equipment.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 3. Lat Pulldown

    SETS LOGGED
    8,113,246
    Back Strength
    100 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Lat Pulldown Cable
    Lat Pulldown Cable

    The Lat Pulldown is a great exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and biceps. It's similar to a Pull Up but is more stable, making it easier for beginners to control the movement and adjust the resistance.

    How to do it

    The Lat Pulldown is a great exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and biceps. It's similar to a Pull Up but is more stable, making it easier for beginners to control the movement and adjust the resistance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    70lbs
    2
    8reps
    70lbs
    3
    8reps
    70lbs
  • 4. Pull Up

    SETS LOGGED
    3,756,760
    Back Strength
    89 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Pull Up Bar
    Pull Up Bar

    Pull Ups are a challenging exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps using just your body weight. Beginners can modify this exercise with assistance or weights for a more manageable workout.

    How to do it

    Pull Ups are a challenging exercise that strengthens your back, shoulders, and biceps using just your body weight. Beginners can modify this exercise with assistance or weights for a more manageable workout.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    5reps
    2
    5reps
    3
    5reps
    4
    5reps
  • 5. Bent Over Barbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    3,003,534
    Back Strength
    96 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Bent Over Barbell Row is an effective exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and arms. It uses a barbell for stability, helping you focus on building strength, making it a good introduction to more advanced lifting techniques.

    How to do it

    The Bent Over Barbell Row is an effective exercise for strengthening your back, shoulders, and arms. It uses a barbell for stability, helping you focus on building strength, making it a good introduction to more advanced lifting techniques.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 6. Chin Up

    SETS LOGGED
    1,940,326
    Back Strength
    54 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Pull Up Bar
    Pull Up Bar

    Chin Ups are a bodyweight exercise that mainly works your back and biceps. They are performed on a pull-up bar with an underhand grip, helping you build strength and muscle mass.

    How to do it

    Chin Ups are a bodyweight exercise that mainly works your back and biceps. They are performed on a pull-up bar with an underhand grip, helping you build strength and muscle mass.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    5reps
    2
    5reps
    3
    5reps
    4
    5reps
  • 7. Hammerstrength High Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,357,345
    Back Strength
    95 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)
    Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)

    The Hammerstrength High Row is an exercise that strengthens your back muscles. It uses a machine to help stabilize your movement, making it easier to focus on lifting weights properly.

    How to do it

    The Hammerstrength High Row is an exercise that strengthens your back muscles. It uses a machine to help stabilize your movement, making it easier to focus on lifting weights properly.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 8. Hammerstrength Iso Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,388,040
    Back Strength
    95 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)
    Hammerstrength (Leverage) Machine (all forms)

    The Hammerstrength Iso Row is a back exercise that uses a specialized machine for better support and focus on your movements. This machine provides stability, allowing you to concentrate more on the effort rather than balancing yourself.

    How to do it

    The Hammerstrength Iso Row is a back exercise that uses a specialized machine for better support and focus on your movements. This machine provides stability, allowing you to concentrate more on the effort rather than balancing yourself.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 9. Machine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,784,270
    Back Strength
    97 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Row Machine
    Row Machine

    The Machine Row is a great exercise for working on your back muscles. Using a machine helps you maintain stability and control, making it perfect for beginners to practice the seated row technique.

    How to do it

    The Machine Row is a great exercise for working on your back muscles. Using a machine helps you maintain stability and control, making it perfect for beginners to practice the seated row technique.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 10. Shotgun Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,315,194
    Back Strength
    92 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    Shotgun Row is a back exercise that uses a cable machine. It targets each side separately, helping to improve strength balance and add variety to your routine.

    How to do it

    Shotgun Row is a back exercise that uses a cable machine. It targets each side separately, helping to improve strength balance and add variety to your routine.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 11. Smith Machine Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    865,614
    Back Strength
    87 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Bent Over Row is an exercise that targets the back muscles using a Smith Machine for added stability. It helps beginners improve their form and strength while performing the row movement.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Bent Over Row is an exercise that targets the back muscles using a Smith Machine for added stability. It helps beginners improve their form and strength while performing the row movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 12. T-Bar Row

    SETS LOGGED
    763,857
    Back Strength
    85 mScore
    Back
    Photo of T Bar
    T Bar

    The T-Bar Row is an exercise that strengthens your back while also working your shoulders and biceps. It uses a stable bar for better grip and heavier lifting, helping you maintain proper form and build muscle.

    How to do it

    The T-Bar Row is an exercise that strengthens your back while also working your shoulders and biceps. It uses a stable bar for better grip and heavier lifting, helping you maintain proper form and build muscle.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    55lbs
    2
    8reps
    55lbs
    3
    8reps
    55lbs
  • 13. Gorilla Rows

    SETS LOGGED
    429,620
    Back Strength
    78 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Kettlebells
    Kettlebells

    Gorilla Rows are a great back exercise that also works your shoulders, biceps, and traps. By alternating sides, you let your muscles recover and focus better on each side during the movement.

    How to do it

    Gorilla Rows are a great back exercise that also works your shoulders, biceps, and traps. By alternating sides, you let your muscles recover and focus better on each side during the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 14. Back Extensions

    SETS LOGGED
    3,608,448
    Lower Back Strength
    96 mScore
    Lower Back
    Photo of Glute Ham Raise Bench
    Glute Ham Raise Bench

    Back extensions strengthen the lower back and improve core stability. This exercise helps build a strong foundation for your back muscles.

    How to do it

    Back extensions strengthen the lower back and improve core stability. This exercise helps build a strong foundation for your back muscles.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 15. Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning

    SETS LOGGED
    1,887,732
    Lower Back Strength
    95 mScore
    Lower Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning exercise targets the hamstrings and lower back. It uses a barbell for added resistance and helps maintain a straight back while hinging at the hips.

    How to do it

    The Stiff-Legged Barbell Good Morning exercise targets the hamstrings and lower back. It uses a barbell for added resistance and helps maintain a straight back while hinging at the hips.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Back Workouts for Men

Alternative Workouts to Build Muscle Mass for Men

Alternative Back Workouts to Build Muscle Mass