Best Chest And Back Workouts To Build Strength For Men

About

This workout is structured to develop overall strength by targeting key upper body muscle groups: the chest and back.

Through a combination of compound exercises such as presses and rows, as well as isolation movements like flys, each session is designed to enhance both pull and push capabilities.

Emphasis is placed on higher weight and lower repetition schemes to maximize gains in strength over muscle mass increase.

Reps and weights are tailored to the capabilities of the average adult male (5'10", 180 lbs, 35 years old), though efforts should align with individual strength levels.

By engaging the pectoral muscles alongside the back, an optimal balance and functional strength progression can be achieved.

The 15 Best Chest and Back Exercises to Build Strength for Men

Ranked By

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

  • 1. Barbell Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    7,520,931
    Chest Strength
    98 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Barbell Bench Press is a key exercise for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It’s commonly used in fitness programs and is essential for evaluating upper body strength.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Bench Press is a key exercise for building upper body strength, targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It’s commonly used in fitness programs and is essential for evaluating upper body strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    75lbs
    2
    8reps
    75lbs
    3
    8reps
    75lbs
  • 2. Barbell Incline Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    3,397,831
    Chest Strength
    96 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Incline Bench
    Incline Bench

    The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a variation of the standard bench press that targets your chest while focusing more on the shoulders and upper chest. It's great for building strength in these areas.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Incline Bench Press is a variation of the standard bench press that targets your chest while focusing more on the shoulders and upper chest. It's great for building strength in these areas.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    75lbs
    2
    8reps
    75lbs
    3
    8reps
    75lbs
  • 3. 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
  • 4. 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
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 5. 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
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 6. 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
  • 7. 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
  • 8. 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
  • 9. Push Up

    SETS LOGGED
    5,895,818
    Chest Strength
    95 mScore
    Chest

    Push ups are a simple and effective exercise for strengthening your upper body using just your body weight. They are easy to do anywhere and are great for beginners and advanced exercisers alike.

    How to do it

    Push ups are a simple and effective exercise for strengthening your upper body using just your body weight. They are easy to do anywhere and are great for beginners and advanced exercisers alike.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    7reps
    2
    7reps
    3
    7reps
    4
    7reps
  • 10. Tricep Push Up

    SETS LOGGED
    2,257,713
    Chest Strength
    69 mScore
    Chest

    The Tricep Push Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your chest, triceps, and shoulders. By keeping your elbows close to your sides, you emphasize the tricep muscles more than regular push ups.

    How to do it

    The Tricep Push Up is a bodyweight exercise that strengthens your chest, triceps, and shoulders. By keeping your elbows close to your sides, you emphasize the tricep muscles more than regular push ups.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps
  • 11. Barbell Decline Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,082,644
    Chest Strength
    73 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Barbells
    Barbells
    Photo of Decline Bench
    Decline Bench

    The Barbell Decline Bench Press is a chest exercise that emphasizes the lower chest. It also strengthens your triceps and shoulders while lying on a decline bench.

    How to do it

    The Barbell Decline Bench Press is a chest exercise that emphasizes the lower chest. It also strengthens your triceps and shoulders while lying on a decline bench.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    70lbs
    2
    8reps
    70lbs
    3
    8reps
    70lbs
  • 12. 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
  • 13. Cable Crossover Fly

    SETS LOGGED
    2,687,316
    Chest Strength
    95 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Crossover Cable
    Crossover Cable

    The Cable Crossover Fly is a chest exercise that uses cables to maintain tension and control. This exercise helps isolate different parts of the chest for a focused workout.

    How to do it

    The Cable Crossover Fly is a chest exercise that uses cables to maintain tension and control. This exercise helps isolate different parts of the chest for a focused workout.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 14. 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
  • 15. Decline Push Up

    SETS LOGGED
    2,792,175
    Chest Strength
    60 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    Decline Push Up is a challenging version of the standard Push Up. It mainly works your chest, triceps, and shoulders, focusing more on the upper chest because your feet are elevated. This exercise helps strengthen your upper body effectively.

    How to do it

    Decline Push Up is a challenging version of the standard Push Up. It mainly works your chest, triceps, and shoulders, focusing more on the upper chest because your feet are elevated. This exercise helps strengthen your upper body effectively.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    2
    8reps
    3
    8reps
    4
    8reps

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Workouts to Build Strength for Men

Alternative Chest and Back Workouts to Build Strength

Alternative Chest and Back Workouts for Men