Welcome to Holly Roser Fitness!

If you’re looking to strengthen your upper back, you’re in the right place. As a personal trainer in San Mateo, I’ve helped countless clients target this specific muscle group and achieve their fitness goals.

The upper back is an often overlooked area, but it plays a crucial role in posture and overall upper body strength. A strong upper back can also improve your performance in other exercises, such as bench presses and pull-ups.

Here are my top exercises for a stronger upper back:

Pull-ups: This classic exercise is a must-do for any upper back workout. It targets the lats, teres major, and infraspinatus muscles. If you’re just starting out, you can use an assisted pull-up machine or a band for assistance. As you get stronger, try adding weight to your pull-ups to increase the challenge.
Bent-over rows: This exercise targets the middle and lower trapezius muscles, as well as the rhomboids. To do bent-over rows, hold a dumbbell in each hand and bend your knees slightly. Hinge at the hips and lower your upper body until it’s almost parallel to the ground. Keep your core tight and your back flat as you row the dumbbells up to your sides, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top.
Seated cable rows: This exercise targets the same muscle groups as bent-over rows, but with the added benefit of continuous tension on the muscles. Sit facing a cable machine with your feet planted firmly on the ground. Grasp the handle with an overhand grip and row it towards your chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Face pulls: This exercise targets the rear deltoids, as well as the upper and middle traps. To do face pulls, attach a rope handle to a cable machine and stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and pull them towards your face, keeping your elbows high and your core tight.
Inverted rows: This exercise is a great bodyweight option for strengthening the upper back. To do inverted rows, set up a bar at waist height and grasp it with an overhand grip. Walk your feet forward so your body is at a slight angle and your heels are on the ground. Keep your body straight as you pull your chest up to the bar, squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top.

Incorporating these exercises into your workout routine will help you build a stronger upper back. As always, it’s important to listen to your body and start with a weight that is manageable for you. If you have any questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to a personal trainer in San Mateo like myself for assistance.