Back · Barbell · Compound · Intermediate
Rack Pulls


PrimarySecondary
- Main muscles
- Lower Back
- Also working
- Forearms, Glutes, Hamstrings, Traps
How to do it
- Set up in a power rack with the bar on the pins. The pins should be set to the desired point; just below the knees, just above, or in the mid thigh position. Position yourself against the bar in proper deadlifting position. Your feet should be under your hips, your grip shoulder width, back arched, and hips back to engage the hamstrings. Since the weight is typically heavy, you may use a mixed grip, a hook grip, or use straps to aid in holding the weight.
- With your head looking forward, extend through the hips and knees, pulling the weight up and back until lockout. Be sure to pull your shoulders back as you complete the movement.
- Return the weight to the pins and repeat.
Swaps on other equipment
Each has the lower back as its main muscle and is also a pull, on a different piece of equipment.
Other lower back exercises
- Pelvic Tilt Into Bridge · Bodyweight
- Pyramid · Exercise Ball
- Rack Pull with Bands · Barbell
- Reverse Band Deadlift · Barbell
- Seated Good Mornings · Barbell
- Standing Pelvic Tilt · Bodyweight
Steps and photos from the public-domain Free Exercise DB, not individually reviewed. How this site is put together · Report a mistake