If all I had was a set of dumbbells and a bench, these are the 11 Exercises I would use to get in the best shape of my life:
(Videos of each included)
1. Incline Dumbbell Rows:
Target - Back:
Cues:
▫️ Chest glued to bench
▫️ Drive elbows back & in, not just up
▫️ Squeeze shoulder blades together at the top
▫️ Control the negative—no free falls
▫️ Use straps to avoid grip fatigue
Quality reps = bigger, stronger back.
2. Incline Dumbbell Press:
A great chest builder (+ delts and triceps)
▫️ Control the eccentric
▫️ Keep elbows at ~45° angle
▫️ Full range—deep stretch, strong lockout
▫️ Drive through your palms, not shoulders
Here are the 4 Simple Exercises I used to get my back strong and pain free:
= Thread =
1. Cobra Stretch:
• Lie face down with hands under your shoulders.
• Gently push your torso up, keeping your hips glued to the floor.
• Breathe out as you reach the top and hold for 2–3 seconds.
The Benefit: This extension helps to decompress the spine.
2. Thoracic Rotations:
• Start on all fours (quadruped position).
• Place one arm out a 90 degree to your body
• Streth the other across your body
• Follow the movement with your eyes, then return to center.
The Benefit: Improving upper-back mobility reduces the excessive rotational stress placed on the lower back.