Middle Back · Barbell

Incline Bench Pull

An isolation movement that trains your middle back, done with a barbell. Your lats and shoulders help out.

Incline Bench Pull, starting positionIncline Bench Pull, end position

Muscles you'll work

Incline Bench Pull muscles worked, front viewIncline Bench Pull muscles worked, back view
Middle BackPrimaryLats · ShouldersSecondary

How to do it

  1. Grab a dumbbell in each hand and lie face down on an incline bench that is set to an incline that is approximately 30 degrees.
  2. Let the arms hang to your sides fully extended as they point to the floor.
  3. Turn the wrists until your hands have a pronated (palms down) grip.
  4. Now flare the elbows out. This will be your starting position.
  5. As you breathe out, start to pull the dumbbells up as if you are doing a reverse bench press. You will do this by bending at the elbows and bringing the upper arms up as you let the forearms hang. Continue this motion until the upper arms are at the same level as your back. Tip: The elbows will come out to the side and your upper arms and torso should make the letter "T" at the top of the movement. Hold the contraction at the top for a second.
  6. Slowly go back down to the starting position as you breathe in.
  7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

More middle back exercises

Bent Over Barbell RowPendlay Row (Barbell)Reverse Grip Bent-Over RowsT-Bar Row with Handle
EquipmentBarbell
TypeIsolation
Push or pullPull
LevelBeginner

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