Best Beginner Chest And Back Workouts To Get Lean And Burn Fat

The Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for strengthening and building the chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders for support. This exercise helps to develop muscle balance by working each side of the body independently.

How to do it

1. Lie on your back on a bench, squeezing your shoulder blades together and keeping your feet flat on the ground.
2. Ensure the bench supports your head, shoulders, and buttocks.
3. Hold the dumbbells above your shoulders with palms facing inward and elbows slightly bent.
4. Engage your core and slowly lower the dumbbells out to the sides in a wide arc, keeping your elbows slightly bent.
5. When the dumbbells are level with your chest, exhale and lift them back to the starting position.

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

1. Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
2. Kneel on the bench with your right knee and place your right hand on the bench's edge.
3. Keep your torso parallel to the ground and grab the dumbbell with your left hand, palm facing your torso.
4. Pull the dumbbell up to your side, engaging your back; exhale as you lift.
5. Pause briefly at the top, then lower the dumbbell back to the starting position.

The Alternating Medicine Ball Push Up is a challenging push-up variation that targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Using a medicine ball helps improve balance and strength on both sides of the body.

How to do it

1. Place your right hand on a medicine ball and keep your arms shoulder-width apart.
2. Raise your knees to form a straight line from your heels to your shoulders.
3. Bend your elbows to lower your chest towards the floor, keeping your elbows at 45 degrees.
4. Push back up and roll the ball to your left hand.
5. Repeat for the desired number of reps.

The Balance Trainer Push Up is a challenging version of the regular push-up that helps improve your stability. It uses an unstable surface, making the exercise harder and enhancing your overall strength in pushing movements.

How to do it

1. Place your hands on the outside edges of the Balance Trainer with the dome side facing up.
2. Lift your knees to create a straight line from your heels to your shoulders.
3. Bend your elbows to lower your chest towards the Balance Trainer, keeping your elbows close to your body.
4. Push back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.

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

1. Sit on the bench and place your feet on the foot plates.
2. Hold the handle with both hands, keeping your back straight.
3. Pull the handle towards your torso while leaning back slightly.
4. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the end of the movement.
5. Slowly return to the starting position while maintaining tension in your back.

The Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners that targets the chest, triceps, and shoulders. Using dumbbells helps improve stability and ensures both sides of the body work equally without compensating for weaknesses.

How to do it

1. Lie back on a bench, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
2. Place your feet flat on the ground, under your knees.
3. Hold the dumbbells outside shoulder-width apart, above your chest.
4. Keep your elbows at a 45-degree angle and engage your core.
5. Extend your arms fully and then lower the dumbbells back to starting position.

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

1. Attach a bar to the pull-down pulley and grip it with your hands shoulder-width apart, palms facing forward.
2. Sit upright on the seat, placing your knees under the adjustable pad.
3. Engage your core and keep your spine straight.
4. Pull the bar down towards your chest by bending your elbows, leaning back slightly.
5. Slowly return the bar to the starting position.

The Kettlebell Alternating Row is a back-strengthening exercise that also works your shoulders and biceps. By alternating lifts, you give each side time to rest and focus, making it effective for building strength and muscle.

How to do it

1. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and knees slightly bent.
2. Hold a kettlebell in each hand at your sides, palms facing you.
3. Bend at your hips to lean your torso forward, keeping kettlebells under your shoulders.
4. Lift one kettlebell towards your body by pulling your elbow back.
5. Pause briefly at the top, then lower the kettlebell back down.
6. Switch to the other side and repeat.
7. Keep your core tight and back straight throughout.

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

1. Lie underneath a low bar and grab it with an underhand grip, hands shoulder-width apart.
2. Keep your legs and body straight, starting with your arms fully extended.
3. Pull your chest towards the bar while keeping your elbows close, engaging your core to maintain a straight line.
4. Lower yourself back to the starting position and repeat.

The Dumbbell Bent Over Row targets your back and biceps. Using dumbbells helps ensure both sides of your body are trained equally and adds difficulty, making it great for building strength and muscle in your back workouts.

How to do it

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, holding dumbbells beside your hips.
2. Bend your knees slightly and push your hips back, leaning your torso forward at a 45-degree angle.
3. Keep your arms extended with dumbbells under your shoulders.
4. Pull the dumbbells toward your sides, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top.
5. Lower the dumbbells back to the starting position and repeat.

The Exercise Ball Push Up involves placing your feet or knees on a stability ball while doing push-ups. This challenges your balance and engages your chest, triceps, and core muscles more than standard push-ups.

How to do it

1. Place your hands on the outer edge of an exercise ball with fingers facing out.
2. Lift your knees to form a straight line from your heels to your shoulders.
3. Bend your elbows to lower your chest towards the ball, keeping elbows at a 45-degree angle from your body.
4. When your chest touches the ball, push up to return to the starting position and roll the ball to your left hand.

Incline push-ups work your lower chest and shoulders while being easier than regular push-ups. They are ideal for beginners who want to strengthen their lower chest.

How to do it

1. Stand facing an elevated platform with your hands shoulder-width apart on it.
2. Keep your body straight from head to heels by engaging your core.
3. With your feet shoulder-width apart and toes tucked under, bend your elbows to lower your chest toward the platform.
4. Push back up until your arms are straight again.

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

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, straddling the barbell, and face away from the landmine anchor.
2. Engage your core and keep your back straight.
3. Bend your knees slightly, hinge at your hips, and grip the barbell near the base.
4. Lift the barbell to knee height by extending your hips.
5. Pull the barbell towards your lower ribcage or chest by bending your elbows.
6. Lower the barbell back to the starting position.

The Machine Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners to strengthen the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It uses a fixed range of motion, making it easier to focus on pushing rather than balancing.

How to do it

1. Sit upright in the machine with your shoulders squeezed together and feet flat on the ground.
2. Ensure your back is in contact with the machine all the way from your head to your butt.
3. Hold the handles with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width.
4. Brace your core and push the handles up until your arms are fully extended at a 45-degree angle.
5. Lower the handles back to the starting position.

The Machine Fly is an exercise that targets your chest and works your shoulders. It uses a machine for stability, making it easier for beginners to learn the movement safely and effectively.

How to do it

1. Sit upright in the fly machine with your shoulder blades squeezed together and feet flat on the ground, shoulder-width apart.
2. Ensure your back is against the pad, keeping contact with your head, shoulders, and butt.
3. Engage your core to maintain a neutral spine position.
4. Hold the handles with palms facing forward.
5. With slightly bent elbows, move your arms in a wide arc to bring the handles together.
6. Slowly return to the starting position.