When it comes to working out at home, you can create a pretty comprehensive workout without anything more than a decent amount of floor space. For examples of the kinds of workouts you can build without equipment, you can click on the link, “Go to Workout Builder” at the top of this blog.

However, it is generally preferable to train your back with some kind of equipment.

Why?

Because pulling is a basic functional movement, and there is no way to perform a true pulling motion if you are only equipped with the floor.

What kind of equipment should you purchase?

Your best choice for equipment is probably dumbbells that allow you to change the weight. Dumbbells can be used for all kinds of exercises, including training your back, so they tend to be equipment that gives you the most bang for your buck. The exercise that you should focus on for your back is the neutral grip dumbbell row (see the picture below). You don’t need to rest your hand on anything. You can rest your forearm on your knee, then extend your other leg straight back while maintaining a flat back throughout the exercise.

Start with light weight and add weight slowly using sets of six to twelve reps. Once you have learned how to do this exercise well, you may want to consider purchasing a pull up bar and/or an inverted row bar.

For examples of how to add exercises using this equipment to your workout, you can click on the link, “Go to Workout Builder” at the top of this blog.