Best Beginner Back Workouts With Barbells

About

Barbells are a versatile and fundamental piece of equipment utilized in a variety of exercises due to their ability to support substantial weights effectively.

Designed with beginners in mind, this workout focuses on movements that are straightforward yet impactful, ideal for individuals with less than a year of training experience aiming to develop proper form and build strength progressively.

The designated exercises target the muscles of the back, emphasizing pulling motions and the muscle groups supporting shoulder movements, enhancing overall back functionality and strength.

Olympic-style techniques may be incorporated to ensure comprehensive muscle activation and promote progressive fitness development.

The 11 Best Beginner Back Exercises with Barbells

Ranked By

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

  • 1. 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
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 2. 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
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 3. Australian Chin Up

    SETS LOGGED
    517,270
    Back Strength
    55 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Squat Rack
    Squat Rack

    The Australian Chin Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your back, biceps, and shoulders. You perform it from a low, inclined position using a bar, making it easier than regular Chin Ups. It's a great way for beginners to build strength towards full Chin Ups.

    How to do it

    The Australian Chin Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your back, biceps, and shoulders. You perform it from a low, inclined position using a bar, making it easier than regular Chin Ups. It's a great way for beginners to build strength towards full Chin Ups.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
  • 4. Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    886,098
    Back Strength
    79 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row is a great exercise for beginners that works your back, biceps, and shoulders. By using a reverse grip, you can better target your biceps and engage different back muscles. Holding a barbell offers stability, allowing you to focus on lifting properly.

    How to do it

    The Reverse Grip Barbell Bent Over Row is a great exercise for beginners that works your back, biceps, and shoulders. By using a reverse grip, you can better target your biceps and engage different back muscles. Holding a barbell offers stability, allowing you to focus on lifting properly.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 5. Inverted Row

    SETS LOGGED
    318,451
    Back Strength
    85 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Inverted Row is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your back while keeping your spine straight. It’s similar to a standard row but allows you to use your own body weight for added stability and support.

    How to do it

    The Inverted Row is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your back while keeping your spine straight. It’s similar to a standard row but allows you to use your own body weight for added stability and support.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
  • 6. Landmine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    593,522
    Back Strength
    90 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine

    The Landmine Row is a strength exercise that mainly works your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a landmine to create a unique movement, helping increase muscle mass and strength while varying your workout routine.

    How to do it

    The Landmine Row is a strength exercise that mainly works your back, shoulders, and biceps. It uses a landmine to create a unique movement, helping increase muscle mass and strength while varying your workout routine.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 7. Single Arm Landmine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    247,726
    Back Strength
    80 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine

    The Single Arm Landmine Row is an exercise that targets your back muscles. By using one arm at a time, you can focus on building strength evenly and improving stability.

    How to do it

    The Single Arm Landmine Row is an exercise that targets your back muscles. By using one arm at a time, you can focus on building strength evenly and improving stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 8. Meadow Landmine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    41,297
    Back Strength
    75 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Landmine
    Landmine
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Meadow Landmine Row is a back exercise using a landmine attachment and dumbbell. It helps strengthen your upper back while allowing for independent movement of each side, ensuring balanced muscle development.

    How to do it

    The Meadow Landmine Row is a back exercise using a landmine attachment and dumbbell. It helps strengthen your upper back while allowing for independent movement of each side, ensuring balanced muscle development.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 9. Upright Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,999,854
    Trapezius Strength
    85 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Upright Row is an exercise that mainly strengthens your shoulder muscles, particularly the trapezius. Using a barbell helps you focus on the movement without worrying about balance, making it an effective way to build strength for activities like Olympic lifts.

    How to do it

    The Upright Row is an exercise that mainly strengthens your shoulder muscles, particularly the trapezius. Using a barbell helps you focus on the movement without worrying about balance, making it an effective way to build strength for activities like Olympic lifts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 10. Barbell Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    1,111,797
    Trapezius Strength
    100 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Shrug is an exercise that targets your trapezius muscles, located in your upper back. Using a barbell helps you maintain stability, allowing you to focus on lifting your shoulders effectively.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Shrug is an exercise that targets your trapezius muscles, located in your upper back. Using a barbell helps you maintain stability, allowing you to focus on lifting your shoulders effectively.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs
  • 11. Barbell Behind The Back Shrug

    SETS LOGGED
    117,301
    Trapezius Strength
    99 mScore
    Trapezius
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells

    The Barbell Behind The Back Shrug is a targeted exercise for the trapezius muscles in your upper back. By holding the barbell behind you, it ensures your shoulders remain properly aligned during the movement.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Behind The Back Shrug is a targeted exercise for the trapezius muscles in your upper back. By holding the barbell behind you, it ensures your shoulders remain properly aligned during the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    60lbs
    2
    8reps
    60lbs
    3
    8reps
    60lbs

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