Pull-Up
Pull-Up
Bar
The gold standard vertical pull. Full dead-hang to chin over bar.
Builds lat width and upper-back thickness better than almost any machine
Lats, traps, rhomboids, erectors
Vertical and horizontal pulls that carve width and thickness — pull-up progressions, rows, and heavy hinge patterns.
Bar
The gold standard vertical pull. Full dead-hang to chin over bar.
Builds lat width and upper-back thickness better than almost any machine

Demo · SaturnoMovement
Bar
Supinated grip pull. Heavier biceps involvement and often easier than a pull-up.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · BarBend
Bar / rings
Horizontal bodyweight row. Perfect pull-up prerequisite.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Bodysthenics
Bar
Progression toward the one-arm pull-up. Shift weight to the working side.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Pure Motion Fitness
Barbell
Heavy horizontal pull for thickness. Torso ~45° over.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Davis Diley
Cable machine
Vertical pull that scales to any strength level.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Colossus Fitness
Cable machine
Constant-tension row builds mid-back detail.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion
Dumbbell + bench
Unilateral row that addresses asymmetries and hits the lat hard.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion
Barbell
The king of posterior chain lifts. Full-body strength expressed through the back.
Loads the entire posterior chain — hamstrings, glutes, erectors, traps and grip

Demo · Sports Rehab Expert
Resistance band
High-frequency upper-back health work. Can support long-term shoulder health.
Builds strength and size in the rear delts / rhomboids through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · ATHLEAN-X
Cable + rope
Corrective staple for rounded shoulders. Rope to forehead, elbows high.
Builds strength and size in the rear delts through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Paul Oneid
Incline bench + dumbbells
Chest supported on the bench removes momentum and protects the lower back.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · FIT.nl
T-bar / barbell
Fixed arc row with a neutral grip. Great for thickness and load.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · That Fit Friend
Barbell
Explosive row from a dead-stop on the floor. Builds power and strict form.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Andrew Kwong (DeltaBolic)
Cable machine
Keep arms straight and pull the cable down with the lats. Pure isolation.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Buff Dudes Workouts
Dumbbell + bench
Arc the dumbbell over your head for a deep lat stretch and long-range contraction.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a deep, loaded stretch

Demo · Live Lean TV Daily Exercises
Plate-loaded row
Seated high row machine with chest support. Easy to load and feel the lats.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Monroe Miller
Rope
Climb a rope hand-over-hand. Total pulling and grip challenge.
Builds strength and size in the back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · Ben Pollack
Flat bench + dumbbells
Prone row on a flat bench eliminates all cheating and forces strict form.
Builds strength and size in the mid-back through a full, controlled range of motion

Demo · mountaindog1
Landmine barbell
A staggered-stance single-arm row off a landmine. The angled bar path loads the lats hard through a long stretch while the free hand braces on the knee.
Builds strength and size in the lats through a full, controlled range of motion
Each guide covers how to do it, muscles worked, benefits and suggested sets and reps.