Exercise Guide

How to do a band standing rear delt row

Master setup, range of motion, and tempo with step-by-step instructions so every rep is more effective and safer.

About band standing rear delt row

The band standing rear delt row is an excellent accessory exercise for targeting the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. Using a resistance band allows for peak contraction at the end of the movement, which is crucial for improving posture and shoulder health. It is particularly effective for balancing the anterior dominance often found in many lifting routines, enhancing overall shoulder symmetry.

Stats

DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
squatRack, resistanceBand
TARGET MUSCLES
rearShoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Band Anchor: Securely anchor the resistance band to a sturdy object at chest height. A door anchor or squat rack works well.
  2. Stance and Grip: Stand facing the anchor point, holding one end of the band in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
  3. Tension: Step back until you feel tension in the band. Your arms should be extended in front of you.
  4. Body Position: Keep your knees slightly bent, core engaged, and back straight with a slight forward lean at the hips.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the Pull: With a controlled motion, pull the band towards your body, keeping your elbows high and wide. Imagine pulling your elbows back and squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  2. Peak Contraction: Hold the contraction briefly at the end of the pull, feeling the muscles in your upper back and rear deltoids activate.
  3. Controlled Release: Slowly return your arms to the starting position, resisting the band's tension.

Tips:

  • Focus on the rear delts: Keep your shoulders down and back, and avoid shrugging them up.
  • Maintain a neutral spine: Avoid rounding your back as you pull.
  • Slow and controlled: Perform each repetition with deliberate control, both in the pulling and returning phases.

Variations:

  • Single-Arm Band Rear Delt Row: Works one side at a time for better isolation.
  • Band Bent-Over Rear Delt Row: Perform with a deeper hip hinge for greater latissimus dorsi engagement.

Common mistakes: Pulling with the biceps instead of the rear delts, allowing the shoulders to shrug up, and not maintaining constant tension on the band.

Alternatives

machine seated reverse fly(parallel grip)

The machine seated reverse fly with a parallel grip is an isolation exercise specifically designed to target the posterior deltoids and rhomboids. By sitting facing the machine and pulling the handles outward, you strengthen the muscles responsible for pulling the shoulders back. This exercise is vital for improving posture, shoulder health, and developing the rear portion of the shoulder complex for balance.

Rear Shoulder
Seated Fly Machine

cable rear delt row

The cable rear delt row is a specialized movement targeting the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. By using a cable machine, you maintain constant tension throughout the entire range of motion, which is difficult to achieve with free weights. This exercise is crucial for developing well rounded shoulders, improving posture, and counteracting the forward leaning tendencies often caused by heavy chest and front side training.

Rear Shoulder
Cable

cable crossover reverse fly

This isolation movement targets the posterior deltoids and the muscles of the upper back. Using cables ensures that there is tension on the muscles even at the start of the movement. By pulling the handles across the body in a wide arc, you improve shoulder health, posture, and the overall definition of the rear shoulders, balancing out chest heavy training routines effectively.

Rear Shoulder
Crossover Cable

machine seated reverse fly

The machine seated reverse fly is an effective way to isolate the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles like the rhomboids. The fixed path of the machine helps eliminate momentum, ensuring that the rear delts perform the majority of the work. This exercise is crucial for maintaining shoulder health and achieving a balanced look, especially for those who perform a lot of chest pressing movements.

Rear Shoulder
Seated Fly Machine

cable seated rear lateral raise

The cable seated rear lateral raise is a precise isolation exercise designed to target the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. Using cables ensures that the muscles remain under constant tension during both the lifting and lowering phases. This movement is essential for improving shoulder health, posture, and creating a rounded, three dimensional look to the shoulders that free weights sometimes fail to provide.

Rear ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Cable

dumbbell incline rear lateral raise

The dumbbell incline rear lateral raise is a specialized isolation movement designed to target the posterior deltoids. By lying chest down on an incline bench, you stabilize your torso and prevent cheating, ensuring the rear shoulders do the majority of the work. This exercise is vital for developing a balanced shoulder physique and improving overall shoulder health and stability.

Rear ShoulderLateral Shoulder
BenchDumbbell

cable standing rear delt row

The cable standing rear delt row is an excellent isolation exercise for the posterior deltoids and the muscles of the upper back. By pulling the cable toward your face or upper chest, you emphasize the rear shoulders, which are often neglected in standard routines. This exercise is crucial for maintaining shoulder health, improving posture, and developing a thick, well proportioned upper back and shoulder area.

Rear Shoulder
Cable

dumbbell rear delt row

The dumbbell rear delt row targets the posterior deltoids and the upper back muscles like the rhomboids and traps. By rowing dumbbells with an emphasis on pulling the elbows back and out, you specifically engage the often neglected rear shoulders. It is essential for maintaining shoulder health, improving posture, and achieving a well rounded, muscular look from both the back and side views.

Rear Shoulder
BenchDumbbell

resistance band kneeling face pull

The resistance band kneeling face pull is a highly effective exercise for shoulder health and upper back development. By kneeling and pulling the band toward your face while flaring your elbows, you target the rear deltoids, rhomboids, and external rotators. This movement is crucial for counteracting the effects of rounded shoulders and improving overall posture and shoulder stability in a controlled manner.

Rear Shoulder
Resistance Band

dumbbell rear delt raise

This exercise focuses on the often neglected posterior deltoid muscle located on the back of the shoulder. By leaning forward and raising dumbbells out to the sides, you improve shoulder symmetry and posture. Strong rear delts are crucial for stabilizing the shoulder joint during heavy pressing movements and for creating a complete, rounded look to the upper body and shoulders.

Rear ShoulderTraps
Dumbbell

band standing rear delt row

The band standing rear delt row is an excellent accessory exercise for targeting the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. Using a resistance band allows for peak contraction at the end of the movement, which is crucial for improving posture and shoulder health. It is particularly effective for balancing the anterior dominance often found in many lifting routines, enhancing overall shoulder symmetry.

Rear Shoulder
Squat RackResistance Band