Best Beginner Chest And Back Workouts With Garage Gym

About

This workout is tailored for beginners, focusing on exercises that effectively target the chest and back muscle groups.

The routine utilizes versatile garage gym equipment such as barbells, dumbbells, benches, pull-up bars, and squat racks, ensuring accessibility and adaptability.

Chest exercises primarily include horizontal pressing movements to engage the pectoral muscles, while back exercises encompass pulling and rowing to develop upper torso strength.

Beginners, defined as those with less than one year of consistent training, will use reduced weights to prioritize mastering proper form and technique, accommodating individual fitness capabilities.

By integrating both chest and back exercises, this program efficiently balances opposing muscle groups, enhancing overall symmetry and strength.

The 15 Best Beginner Chest and Back Exercises with Garage Gym

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Dumbbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    8,452,674
    Chest Strength
    99 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    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

    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.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 2. Dumbbell Fly

    SETS LOGGED
    6,618,981
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    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

    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.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 3. 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
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 4. 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
  • 5. Smith Machine Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    922,042
    Chest Strength
    66 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Smith Machine Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your triceps and shoulders too. The Smith Machine helps keep the movement steady, making it easier to focus on properly performing the exercise.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your triceps and shoulders too. The Smith Machine helps keep the movement steady, making it easier to focus on properly performing the exercise.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    45lbs
    2
    8reps
    45lbs
    3
    8reps
    45lbs
  • 6. 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
  • 7. Dumbbell Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    4,165,923
    Back Strength
    97 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    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

    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.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 8. 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
  • 9. Incline Dumbbell Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,106,898
    Back Strength
    93 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Incline Dumbbell Row is a great exercise for building back strength. It uses an incline bench to help support your upper body, allowing you to focus on lifting weights without using other muscles for support.

    How to do it

    The Incline Dumbbell Row is a great exercise for building back strength. It uses an incline bench to help support your upper body, allowing you to focus on lifting weights without using other muscles for support.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 10. Incline Dumbbell Squeeze Press

    SETS LOGGED
    712,970
    Chest Strength
    79 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Incline Dumbbell Squeeze Press is a great exercise to strengthen your upper chest, shoulders, and triceps. By using an incline bench and squeezing the dumbbells, you can effectively work your muscles while maintaining tension in your chest.

    How to do it

    The Incline Dumbbell Squeeze Press is a great exercise to strengthen your upper chest, shoulders, and triceps. By using an incline bench and squeezing the dumbbells, you can effectively work your muscles while maintaining tension in your chest.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 11. Dumbbell Squeeze Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,242,901
    Chest Strength
    90 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells

    The Dumbbell Squeeze Press is an exercise that mainly works your chest, shoulders, and triceps. By pressing the dumbbells together, you keep constant tension on your chest, making it effective without needing extra equipment.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Squeeze Press is an exercise that mainly works your chest, shoulders, and triceps. By pressing the dumbbells together, you keep constant tension on your chest, making it effective without needing extra equipment.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 12. Dumbbell Larson Press

    SETS LOGGED
    131,545
    Chest Strength
    80 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Dumbbell Larson Press is a chest exercise that targets your chest, shoulders, and triceps without using your legs for support. By elevating your legs, you focus more on upper body strength and stability, helping improve your bench press form.

    How to do it

    The Dumbbell Larson Press is a chest exercise that targets your chest, shoulders, and triceps without using your legs for support. By elevating your legs, you focus more on upper body strength and stability, helping improve your bench press form.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 13. Leg Raise With Dumbbell Pull Over

    SETS LOGGED
    107,071
    Chest Strength
    74 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Dumbbells
    Dumbbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Leg Raise With Dumbbell Pull Over is a workout combining a leg raise and a dumbbell pull over. This exercise works your core, shoulders, and back, helping to improve strength and stability.

    How to do it

    The Leg Raise With Dumbbell Pull Over is a workout combining a leg raise and a dumbbell pull over. This exercise works your core, shoulders, and back, helping to improve strength and stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 14. EZ Bar PJR Pull Over

    SETS LOGGED
    29,847
    Back Strength
    68 mScore
    Back
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The EZ Bar PJR Pull Over is an exercise that works your lats, triceps, and chest. Using an EZ-Bar makes the grip more comfortable and helps stretch the muscles effectively, which is great for building upper body strength.

    How to do it

    The EZ Bar PJR Pull Over is an exercise that works your lats, triceps, and chest. Using an EZ-Bar makes the grip more comfortable and helps stretch the muscles effectively, which is great for building upper body strength.

  • 15. EZ-Bar Pull Over

    SETS LOGGED
    45,133
    Back Strength
    68 mScore
    Back
    Photo of EZ Bar
    EZ Bar
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The EZ-Bar Pull Over is an effective exercise for building strength in the upper back and chest, while also working the shoulders and triceps. It uses an EZ-Bar which allows for a comfortable grip and helps maintain stability during the movement.

    How to do it

    The EZ-Bar Pull Over is an effective exercise for building strength in the upper back and chest, while also working the shoulders and triceps. It uses an EZ-Bar which allows for a comfortable grip and helps maintain stability during the movement.

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Chest and Back Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts with Garage Gym

Alternative Chest and Back Workouts with Garage Gym