The hardest reality about losing weight is that you can’t just circle a specific spot on your body and melt away the fat. It takes smart full-body training to really burn fat, and you’ll see the results all over. What you can do is focus your strengthening and toning exercises on one muscle area to isolate a trouble spot and really define those muscles—which, when combined with cardio (running, elliptical, whatever form you like best and will actually stick with), will give you the results you want.
Pull-ups: Your back is made up of many different muscles, and a pull-up is an all-encompassing exercise that tones and sculpts them all, Stokes says. But they’re hard, so people tend to shy away from them. If you can do a normal pull-up—gripping the bar with your palms facing out—that’s ideal. “That’s going to work more of your lat muscle and back,” says Stokes. A chin-up, where palms are facing you, is an easier option and it’s still going to work your back a bit, but it hits the biceps more, so make chin-ups your second option.
Dumbbell row: Place one knee on a bench, couch or table with a light (3-5 pounds) weight in the opposite hand, slightly bending forward with back flat. Pull the arm back straight in a row motion, contracting your upper back, elbow skimming the side of the body as it moves. Do a full set of 12 and then switch arms.
Renegade row: Get into a plank position, arms out straight directly beneath your shoulders, squeezing your butt and pulling your abs tight into your spine. Hold a 3-5-pound weight in each hand. Starting with one arm at a time, pull the weight back into a row movement, engaging the upper back and delts.
TYI: Lie on your stomach on the floor, or balance on a physio ball, holding 3-pound dumbbells in each hand. Engage your back and lift the chest a little. Then, move arms up and out into a T position, release, move into a Y position, release, and then move them into an I, arms touching out straight above your head. This is a great one for the rear delt, which is an important posture muscle, Stokes notes. Most people are very weak here, so use a super-light weight for this one.
Push-ups: This basic move primarily works your chest, but it can actually be a great back exercise, too. Get into a standard push-up position with hands on the ground wider than shoulder-width apart. “When you lower into the contracted position, you’re actually engaging your back,” Stokes notes. So lower yourself slowly and really focus on that downward movement. Hold at the bottom for 3 seconds and push back up, contracting the chest.
Jumping rope: It might feel like you’re just working your shoulders, Stokes says, but they’re connected to your back, so it’s hitting that as well. Plus, it’s a great cardio workout that’ll burn fat all over.
Upper body cycle: You know that upper body bike at the gym that’s empty all the time? “I use that thing like a freakin’ maniac,” says Stokes. “It’s the most unused piece of equipment and it’s amazing for your triceps and your back.” Try 5 minutes on that and you’ll barely make it through. Try biking backward on it for an even stronger back burn. via
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