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Back Strength Workout - 60min Advanced

Build serious upper body pulling power with this high-intensity back and biceps session. You will start with heavy barbell compounds to maximize mechanical tension before transitioning into handle-based isolation for peak contraction. This advanced workout utilizes Tonal's digital resistance to ensure every rep of your accessory work is as challenging as your primary lifts.

This workout is designed for advanced lifters and athletes like rock climbers or rowers who require exceptional upper body pulling capacity. It is for the Tonal user who has mastered their form and is ready to push their absolute strength limits.

60mDuration
9Exercises
29Total Sets
Back, BicepsMuscles

Equipment

StraightBarHandlesRope

Workout Plan

Rest 120 to 180 seconds between heavy barbell sets, 60 to 90 seconds for handle accessories, and 45 seconds between finishers.

StraightBar
Superset
Barbell Bent Over Row

Barbell Bent Over Row

Back, Biceps, Abs

Engage Tonal's Spotter mode to push safely through heavy sets of five.

5 x 5
Barbell Chinup

Barbell Chinup

Back, Biceps, Abs

Focus on the eccentric phase to build maximum pulling power with the bar.

4 x 6
Handles
Superset
Seated Row

Seated Row

Back, Biceps, Abs

Maintain a neutral spine and feel the digital weight pull you forward for a full lat stretch.

3 x 8
Bird Dog w/ Row

Bird Dog w/ Row

Obliques, Back, Abs

Fight the rotational pull of the cable by keeping your hips perfectly square to the floor.

3 x 10
Handles
Superset
Biceps Curl

Biceps Curl

Biceps, Forearms

Use Tonal's Chains mode to increase resistance at the top of the curl for a peak contraction.

3 x 12
Neutral Lat Pulldown

Neutral Lat Pulldown

Back, Biceps, Abs

Drive your elbows down toward your hips and squeeze your shoulder blades at the bottom.

3 x 8
Handles

Straight Arm Pulldown

Back, Shoulders

Keep your arms straight and depress your scapula to isolate the lats during this finisher.

2 x 15
Rope
Superset
Hammer Curl

Hammer Curl

Biceps, Forearms

Maintain a neutral grip on the rope and avoid using any momentum from your torso.

3 x 10
Standing Face Pull

Standing Face Pull

Back, Shoulders

Pull the rope toward your forehead, flaring your elbows to target the rear deltoids.

3 x 12

Why this order

The workout follows a logical progression from multi-joint barbell movements that allow for the highest weight loads to specific isolation exercises. By grouping movements by accessory, we maximize time under tension while minimizing setup transitions between the bar, handles, and rope. This order ensures you are freshest for the heavy rows and chinups where stability and force production are most critical.

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This is a template workout. Connect your Tonal and the AI coach adjusts weights to your strength scores, swaps exercises around injuries, and progresses you week over week.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use any dynamic weight modes for this workout?

Yes, I recommend using Chains or Eccentric mode for the Biceps Curls and Barbell Rows to increase the intensity and take advantage of Tonal's digital features.

What should I do if the barbell rows feel too heavy?

Ensure Spotter mode is enabled. If you struggle to complete a rep, Tonal will automatically reduce the weight so you can finish your set safely.

Can I substitute the Barbell Chinup if it is too difficult?

If the chinup is too challenging, you can use the Seated Lat Pulldown as a primary movement, but try to keep the rep range low and the weight heavy to maintain the strength focus.