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The 10 Best Back Exercise Machines for Building Strong Muscles

Get a gym-worthy workout in the comfort of your own home.

By Nick Hilden and Gabrielle Hondorp
back exercise machine
Runner's World; Marcy

While muscle groups like the chest, biceps, and glutes tend to get an abundance of attention, no strong physique is complete without a well-developed back. All too often, however, we overlook back workouts in favor of endless bench presses, bicep curls, and squats, especially when working out at home.

You can always stick to bodyweight exercises to keep your back healthy, but many of us require—or simply prefer—a more targeted workout to efficiently strengthen back muscles, whether that means taking an instructor-led class or using a purpose-built exercise machine.

Back exercise machines are helpful because they let you progressively add more and more weight as your muscles grow, helping you achieve a truly muscular back right from home. With this in mind, we’ve rounded up the best back exercise machines on the market to help you tone up, improve your posture, and maybe even relieve some of that nagging back pain.

The Best Back Exercise Machines

  • 1
    MWM-988 Multifunction Steel Home Gym for Back Exercises

    Best Overall

    Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Steel Home Gym for Back Exercises

    $500 at Amazon
    Read more
  • 2
    N3 Elite Personal Boxing Trainer for Strengthening Back

    Most Interactive

    Nexersys N3 Elite Personal Boxing Trainer for Strengthening Back

    Read more
  • 3
    Hyperextension Roman with Dip Station for Back Muscles

    Most Affordable

    Sunny Health & Fitness Hyperextension Roman with Dip Station for Back Muscles

    Read more
  • 4
    PR1000 Home Gym

    Most Versatile

    Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

    Read more
  • 5
    Multifunction Power Cage with Smith Bar for Back Workouts

    Best for Serious Weightlifters

    Major Lutie Multifunction Power Cage with Smith Bar for Back Workouts

    Read more

What to Consider

Before you buy a back machine, it’s important to consider factors like the space you have available, your fitness goals, and your current physical condition. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Product Footprint

Back exercise machines can be quite large, eating up a lot of your living space. While this might not matter if you have a garage, spare room, or large apartment, opt for a more compact option like a curl bench or a boxing trainer, or one of our selections that can fold up when not in use.

Fitness Goals

While all of the suggestions below can deliver a solid back workout, some machines are tailored to specific goals. If you’re simply looking to maintain or improve back mobility as part of your normal workout, a machine with a variety of on-demand classes might be your best bet. For a bit of back toning, a straightforward rower will suffice. To bulk up your back, opt for a machine that offers plenty of opportunities to pump iron.

Physical Condition

How’s your back doing? If you're new to back workouts, you probably don’t want to jump straight to lifting weights—it can make your back pain even worse to overdo it. Instead, start by improving your mobility and strength with low-impact workouts like yoga classes or rowing machines. Once you've established some baseline back strength, weighted workouts are typically the fastest way to grow your muscles.

    How We Selected

    To find the best back exercise machines on the market, we researched the most popular models available and took into account price, versatility, accessories, and additional features. We also consulted thousands of customer reviews to settle on the 10 you'll find below.

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    1
    Best Overall

    Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Steel Home Gym for Back Exercises

    MWM-988 Multifunction Steel Home Gym for Back Exercises
    1
    Best Overall

    Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Steel Home Gym for Back Exercises

    Now 38% Off
    $500 at Amazon
    Pros
    • Wide range of workouts
    • Decent heavy weight training
    • Moderate footprint
    Cons
    • Some buyers report difficult assembly

    While this home gym isn't cheap, the wealth of back workout options it provides makes it well worth the price. With this model, you can do upper-body exercises like flys, curls, chest presses, and lat pulldowns, as well as lower-body exercises like leg extensions.

    Its weight stack goes up to 150 pounds, and it even has a workout chart built in to show you which exercises you can use this machine for and how to do them properly.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions68 x 42 x 78 in.
    TypeWeight machine
    2
    Most Interactive

    Nexersys N3 Elite Personal Boxing Trainer for Strengthening Back

    N3 Elite Personal Boxing Trainer for Strengthening Back
    2
    Most Interactive

    Nexersys N3 Elite Personal Boxing Trainer for Strengthening Back

    Pros
    • Super engaging
    • All-around upper-body training
    • Solid build quality
    Cons
    • Not a targeted back workout

    Looking for a more interactive way to strengthen and tone your back? This boxing trainer is not only super effective at training and strengthening your arms and back, but it's also super engaging and feels more like a game than a workout.

    It has live training, including a leaderboard and on-demand classes, and it keeps track of stats like power, accuracy, speed, and strike count. It's also adjustable, so it can easily be used by multiple people of different heights and sizes.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions50 x 72 in.
    TypeBoxing machine
    3
    Most Affordable

    Sunny Health & Fitness Hyperextension Roman with Dip Station for Back Muscles

    Hyperextension Roman with Dip Station for Back Muscles
    3
    Most Affordable

    Sunny Health & Fitness Hyperextension Roman with Dip Station for Back Muscles

    Pros
    • Lower back targeting
    • Dip handles
    • Stable build quality
    Cons
    • Fairly specific workout options

    Okay, so it’s not exactly a machine, but few pieces of back workout equipment deliver the lower back targeting power of a hyperextension Roman chair, and this option from Sunny Health & Fitness is a great choice for a number of reasons.

    Its solid build quality means that it won’t wobble unsteadily like cheaper competitors, and it’s fully adjustable to suit any body size. It also has integrated dip handles for an added bonus workout, and it's easy to lay flat for storage.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions24 x 45.7 x 29.9 in.
    TypeRoman chair
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    4
    Most Versatile

    Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

    PR1000 Home Gym
    4
    Most Versatile

    Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

    Pros
    • Wide range of motions
    • Low impact plus resistance training
    • Great build quality
    Cons
    • Not ideal for heavy strength training

    Bowflex is a trusted name in the home gym game, and its PR1000 home gym is ideal for those looking to strengthen their back muscles. This model has everything you need for a complete upper-body workout, including multiple pulley positions that allow you to target different muscle groups.

    The bench even converts into a rowing machine, which is great for engaging your entire upper body, including your chest and core, while providing you a solid cardio workout.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions103 x 80 x 82 in.
    TypePulley system
    5
    Best for Serious Weightlifters

    Major Lutie Multifunction Power Cage with Smith Bar for Back Workouts

    Multifunction Power Cage with Smith Bar for Back Workouts
    5
    Best for Serious Weightlifters

    Major Lutie Multifunction Power Cage with Smith Bar for Back Workouts

    Pros
    • Comprehensive workout options
    • Great for heavy lifting
    • Excellent build quality
    Cons
    • Large footprint

    If you’re a serious lifter looking to bring the whole gym home, this is a great option. Major Lutie has put together a power cage that includes everything you need to get an awesome workout—well beyond just your back.

    Target your chest, arms, legs, shoulders, and abs—all with this one machine. It’s big and pricey, but if you have the space and budget, it’s worth the investment and has excellent build quality.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions56.6 x 65.8 x 84.8 in.
    TypePower cage
    6
    Best for Beginners

    Fitness Reality Magnetic Rowing Machine

    Magnetic Rowing Machine
    6
    Best for Beginners

    Fitness Reality Magnetic Rowing Machine

    Now 33% Off
    Pros
    • Back workout plus solid cardio
    • Relatively small footprint
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • No digital classes like more expensive rowers

    This rowing machine is great for knocking out your cardio and upper-body workouts in one fell swoop. At under $300, it's on the more affordable end of the spectrum, and it's a great option for both newbies and dedicated workout enthusiasts alike.

    It works to strengthen your core and back, and the seat and stirrups are adjustable, making it a great option for home gyms used by multiple roommates or family members.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions21.5 x 88.5 x 21.5 in.
    TypeRowing machine
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    7
    Best for Core Workouts

    Vanswe Adjustable Ab Bench for Back Exercises

    Adjustable Ab Bench for Back Exercises
    7
    Best for Core Workouts

    Vanswe Adjustable Ab Bench for Back Exercises

    Pros
    • Total core workout
    • Fully adjustable
    • Thick padding for comfort
    Cons
    • May be unstable under high weight

    If you’re looking for a way to workout your core from every angle—back, abs, obliques, and all the little connectors in between—this adjustable bench from Vanswe is a great option. Not only does it give you the full range of core motions, but it has solid build quality and thick, comfortable padding.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions57 x 23.6 x 33.5 in.
    TypeBench
    8
    Best for Deadlifts

    Bells of Steel Squat Machine for Back Workouts

    Squat Machine for Back Workouts
    8
    Best for Deadlifts

    Bells of Steel Squat Machine for Back Workouts

    Pros
    • Ensures solid deadlift form
    • Super heavy weight capacity
    • Outstanding construction
    Cons
    • Fairly narrow workout options

    If your goal is to build an uber strong deadlift above all else, this Bells of Steel machine delivers. While it’s technically designed for squats, it also doubles for deadlifts, and ensures that you maintain the proper, safe form with every lift.

    It also has a massive 700-pound weight capacity, so you’ll definitely give up before it does. While it is pretty pricey, the craftsmanship is outstanding and it lasts for years.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions75.43 x 50.67 x 41.73 in.
    TypeSquat machine
    9
    Best for Classes

    Mirror Mirror Pro

    Mirror Pro
    9
    Best for Classes

    Mirror Mirror Pro

    Now 26% Off
    Pros
    • Vast array of classes for any fitness goal
    • Tiny footprint
    • One-on-one training option
    Cons
    • Must purchase membership

    If you don't have a ton of space to dedicate to a large back exercise machine, the Mirror could be a great option for you. This one comes with a yoga mat and accessories, dumbbells, and resistance bands, which can be used along with their 10,000-plus on-demand classes.

    In addition to training your back using Mirror's dedicated upper-body exercises, you can also strengthen and tone it with workouts like boxing and yoga.

    Key Specs

    Dimensions56.0, 22.4, 1.4 in.
    TypeSmart mirror
    Headshot of Nick Hilden
    Nick Hilden

    Nick Hilden is a writer and fitness enthusiast who has written gear reviews and about health, fitness, and lifestyle in general for the likes of Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others; a dedicated runner, gym rat, and all-around health nut, he is constantly looking for new tools and methods of improving his wellness regimen. 

    Headshot of Gabrielle Hondorp

    Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track. 

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