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Middle back Exercises

370 exercises targeting the Middle back, with muscle activation, equipment options and instructions for every level.

370
Exercises
47
Equipment Items
3
Difficulties

All Middle back exercises

Lever Seated Single Arm Wide Lat Pulldown

Medium
Middle backBicepsTrapezius

Lever Seated Wide Pulldown

Medium
Middle backBicepsTrapezius

Lever Single Arm Neutral Grip Seated Row (plate loaded)

Medium
Rear shouldersTrapeziusMiddle backBicepsOuter forearmMiddle chest

Lever Single Arm Reverse Grip High Row (Plate Load)

Medium
TrapeziusMiddle backBicepsRear shoulders

Lever Supinated Grip Seated Row (Plate Loaded)

Medium
Middle backBicepsTrapeziusLower back

Lying Back Opener

Bodyweight · Easy
Middle backLower backMiddle chestObliques

Lying Floor Row Hold with Bent Knees

Bodyweight · Easy
Middle backLower backGlutesRear shouldersTrapezius

Lying Floor Row with Bent Knee

Bodyweight · Easy
Rear shouldersTrapeziusMiddle back

Lying Lat Pulldown

Bodyweight · Medium
Middle backBicepsRear shouldersInner forearmTrapezius

Lying Reverse Push-up

Bodyweight · Medium
Middle backLower backTricepsGlutesCore

Machine Assisted Chin-Up

Easy
Middle backBicepsRear shouldersOuter forearmTrapezius

Machine Bent Over Row

Medium
Rear shouldersTrapeziusMiddle backBicepsOuter forearmMiddle chest

Machine One-Arm Row

Medium
Rear shouldersTrapeziusMiddle backBicepsOuter forearmMiddle chest

Machine Seated Row

Unknown difficulty
Middle backInner forearmOuter forearm

Medicine Ball Catch and Overhead Throw

Medium
Rear shouldersMiddle backTricepsAbsFront shouldersUpper chest

Medicine Ball Overhead Slam

Medium
Rear shouldersTrapeziusMiddle backAbsFront shouldersUpper chest

Muscle-up

Bodyweight · Hard
Middle backBicepsTricepsInner forearmOuter forearmTrapezius

Narrow Grip Pull-Up

Bodyweight · Medium
Rear shouldersTrapeziusMiddle backBicepsOuter forearmMiddle chest

Negative Pull-Up

Bodyweight · Hard
Middle backBicepsTrapezius

Neutral Grip Pull-Up on Dip Cage

Bodyweight · Hard
Middle backBicepsRear shouldersOuter forearmTrapezius

Neutral-Supinated Chin-Up

Bodyweight · Medium
Middle backBicepsRear shouldersOuter forearmTrapezius

Old School Reverse Extensions

Medium
TricepsMiddle backRear shouldersMiddle chestTrapezius

One Arm Dumbbell Row

Medium
Middle backBicepsTrapeziusLower back

One Arm Pull-up

Bodyweight · Hard
Middle backBicepsRear shouldersTrapezius

How to train your Middle back effectively

Training the Middle back responds to both heavy compound work and high-volume isolation. A balanced session combines a primary compound press, pull or squat pattern with a focused isolation movement that builds shape and detail.

Aim for 10 to 20 hard sets per muscle group per week, split across 1 to 2 sessions. Beginners progress with bodyweight and dumbbells; intermediates benefit most from progressive overload on barbell and cable variants.

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