Back Workout Exercises

Many people focus on building their mirror muscles (think: chest, shoulders, arms, and abs). But to create a well-rounded physique, you don't want to skimp on back workouts to sculpt the other side of your body, too.

Whether you're wearing a bathing suit, a tank top, or a backless dress, a well-built back shows the world you've got it where it counts. Physically and aesthetically, there's no substitute for a strong, muscular back, which is why you should include back workouts into your regularly scheduled routine.

Across the rugged topography of your back are over a dozen different muscles. Some of them like the trees minor stabilize movement at your shoulder girdle; others including the erector spine extend your spine, helping to keep you upright.

But the primary focus of back workouts is usually the two largest muscle groups in your back: the trapezius and latissimus dorsi muscles.

Most back movements are variations on rowing (pulling your own bodyweight or an object toward your torso), or chinning (pulling your bodyweight upward and over a bar or other stationary object). That's the case with the 11 back exercises below. Together, they'll work all the back muscles large and small to ensure complete functional and athletic back development.

Most men want to include different back workouts into their body building routine because they are hoping to achieve that distinctive, v-shaped look. Identifying the right back workouts, however, can be easier said than done.

Part of the difficultly involved with selecting the best types of back workouts can be traced to knowing which muscles to target. And while certain chest routines and upper body exercises can help with creating mass, it is important for men to have specific focus on the muscles of the back in order to experience true growth in this area of the body.