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Best Beginner Back Workouts With Bodyweight

About

Bodyweight exercises involve using your own body as resistance, providing a versatile and accessible workout option.

Beginner routines focus on fundamental and straightforward movements, making them suitable for those with less than one year of experience while still offering a challenging experience.

Targeting the back muscles—crucial for pulling motions and upper body strength—this workout engages key exercises like rows and pull-ups.

These exercises can be performed conveniently at home, ensuring adaptability for various fitness levels and circumstances.

The 8 Best Beginner Back Exercises with Bodyweight

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Superman

    Superman demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    5,438,343
    Lower Back Strength
    100 mScore
    Lower Back

    The Superman exercise strengthens your lower back, glutes, and upper back. You lie on your stomach and lift your arms and legs off the ground together to engage these muscles.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down with your arms stretched out above your head and legs straight.
    2. Tighten your core by breathing into your belly and activating your abs.
    3. Lift your arms and legs a few inches off the ground together, keeping your ears between your biceps.
    4. Hold for a moment, then lower your arms and legs back down.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
  • 2. Superman Hold

    Superman Hold demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    2,325,960
    Lower Back Strength
    83 mScore
    Lower Back

    The Superman Hold is a great exercise for strengthening your lower back and improving core stability. You lie on your stomach and lift your arms, chest, and legs off the ground, holding the position to build endurance.

    How to do it

    1. Lie flat on your stomach with your elbows bent at 90 degrees.
    2. Lift your arms, chest, and legs off the floor.
    3. Hold this position for the specified time.
  • 3. Superman with Scaption

    Superman with Scaption demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    1,802,042
    Lower Back Strength
    91 mScore
    Lower Back

    The Superman with Scaption is a back exercise that strengthens your lower and upper back muscles. You'll lift your arms, chest, and legs off the ground while moving your arms to enhance the workout.

    How to do it

    1. Lie flat on your stomach with your elbows bent at 90 degrees.
    2. Lift your arms, chest, and legs off the floor.
    3. Hold this position while moving your arms forward and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
  • 4. Alternating Superman

    Alternating Superman demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    939,748
    Lower Back Strength
    94 mScore
    Lower Back

    The Alternating Superman is an exercise that strengthens the lower back, glutes, and core by lifting opposite arms and legs. It helps improve balance, coordination, and posture while engaging stabilizing muscles.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down on the floor with arms extended in front and legs straight behind you.
    2. Lift one arm and the opposite leg up while tightening your back and glutes.
    3. Hold for a moment, then lower your arm and leg back down.
    4. Switch sides and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    6reps
    2
    6reps
    3
    6reps
  • 5. Prone Y’s

    Prone Y’s demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    89,305
    Back Strength
    77 mScore
    Back

    Prone Y's are a simple exercise for strengthening the upper back and shoulders. By lying on your stomach and lifting your arms in a Y shape, you can improve your posture and shoulder stability, helping to prevent injuries.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down on a mat or the floor.
    2. Extend your arms at a 45-degree angle to form a 'Y'.
    3. Keep your palms flat on the ground.
    4. Lift your arms off the ground using your back muscles.
    5. Engage your core and keep your arms straight.
    6. Hold the position briefly, then lower your arms back down.
  • 6. Prone T’s

    Prone T’s demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    67,034
    Back Strength
    78 mScore
    Back

    Prone T's is an exercise that strengthens the muscles between your shoulder blades and the back of your shoulders. By lying face down and raising your arms to the side, you can improve shoulder stability and posture while targeting the upper back.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down on a mat or the ground.
    2. Extend your arms straight out to the sides with palms down in a 'T' position.
    3. Engage your back muscles and lift your arms off the ground.
    4. Keep your core tight and arms straight while holding the position briefly.
    5. Lower your arms back to the ground.
    6. Repeat the exercise.
  • 7. Prone I’s

    Prone I’s demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    52,402
    Back Strength
    81 mScore
    Back

    Prone I's are a simple exercise to strengthen the upper back, especially the lower trapezius muscles. By lying face down and lifting your arms overhead to form an 'I', you can improve your posture and shoulder stability.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down on a mat.
    2. Extend your arms straight overhead with palms on the ground, looking like an 'I'.
    3. Lift your arms off the ground by squeezing your back muscles.
    4. Keep your core tight and arms straight.
    5. Hold for a moment, then lower your arms back down.
    6. Repeat the exercise.
  • 8. Australian Crawl

    Australian Crawl demonstration video — proper form for this exercise.
    SETS LOGGED
    65,319
    Lower Back Strength
    72 mScore
    Lower Back

    The Australian Crawl is a basic exercise that helps strengthen your back using just your body weight. It's suitable for beginners and requires little space, making it a great way to improve your pulling strength safely.

    How to do it

    1. Lie face down on the floor or mat.
    2. Engage your core, keeping your back straight and chest lifted.
    3. Raise your chest and legs off the ground.
    4. Kick your legs up and down, keeping your feet a few inches off the ground.
    5. Alternate reaching one arm forward while pulling the other arm back, simulating freestyle swimming.
    6. Continue this movement for the set time.

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