Why You’re Missing Out on These Upper Body Exercises
When it comes to building a strong and muscular upper body, most gym-goers stick to the basics: bench press, shoulder press, and pull-ups. While these are effective, they’re not the whole story. There are underrated upper body exercises that often go unnoticed—yet they can take your strength, size, and performance to a whole new level.
The truth is, focusing only on popular lifts creates imbalances, limits growth, and sometimes leads to plateaus. Today, we’re diving into five underrated upper body exercises that you should add to your routine if you want serious gains.
Why Try Underrated Upper Body Exercises?
Before we get into the list, let’s answer the big question: Why should you even care about these lesser-known moves?
- Fix Muscle Imbalances: Standard exercises often favor certain muscle groups, leaving others underdeveloped.
- Boost Overall Strength: Variations challenge your body in new ways, leading to better functional strength.
- Prevent Boredom: Fresh exercises keep your workouts exciting and help you stay consistent.
- Enhance Mind-Muscle Connection: These moves often require strict form and control, which improves muscle activation.
👉 For a deeper look at muscle growth principles, check this guide to hypertrophy training.
The Top 5 Underrated Upper Body Exercises
1. Z Press – The Shoulder Killer
If you want boulder shoulders and bulletproof core stability, the Z Press deserves a place in your workout.
What is it?
The Z Press is a seated overhead press performed on the floor with legs extended straight out. This position eliminates leg drive and forces your core and shoulders to do all the work.
Why It’s Effective:
- Builds raw pressing strength without relying on momentum
- Improves posture by engaging the core
- Strengthens the entire shoulder girdle
How to Do It:
- Sit on the floor, legs straight ahead
- Hold a barbell or dumbbells at shoulder height
- Press overhead without leaning back
Pro Tip: Start light! This is tougher than it looks. For form cues, see this Z Press guide.
2. Seal Row – The Back Builder
The Seal Row is a fantastic horizontal pulling exercise that isolates your upper back muscles without strain on the lower back.
Why It’s Effective:
- Perfect for lifters with lower back issues
- Increases thickness in the traps, rhomboids, and rear delts
- Improves pulling strength for deadlifts and pull-ups
How to Do It:
- Lie chest-down on an elevated bench
- Row the barbell or dumbbells from a dead hang to your lower chest
- Keep movements strict and avoid jerking
👉 Want more upper back exercises? Here’s a list from Muscle & Strength.
3. Tate Press – The Tricep Secret Weapon
If you’re chasing bigger arms, the Tate Press is a hidden gem for the triceps.
Why It’s Effective:
- Targets all three heads of the triceps
- Reduces elbow strain compared to standard skull crushers
- Great accessory for bench press strength
How to Do It:
- Lie on a bench with dumbbells
- Press the weights up and inward so the dumbbells touch above your chest
- Slowly lower back with elbows flared
4. Face Pull – The Posture Fixer
The Face Pull is often overlooked, but it’s a powerhouse for shoulder health and upper back development.
Why It’s Effective:
- Strengthens rear delts and traps
- Improves shoulder stability
- Counteracts forward shoulder posture from too much pressing
How to Do It:
- Use a rope attachment on a cable machine
- Pull toward your forehead while keeping elbows high
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the end
Tip: Make this a staple for long-term shoulder health. For a tutorial, see Bodybuilding.com’s face pull guide.
5. JM Press – The Hybrid Lift
The JM Press is a hybrid between a close-grip bench press and a skull crusher, making it brutal on the triceps.
Why It’s Effective:
- Builds massive triceps strength for lockout power
- Improves bench press performance
- Ideal for strength athletes and bodybuilders alike
How to Do It:
- Lie on a flat bench with a barbell
- Lower the bar halfway between your chest and face, elbows tucked
- Press back up without flaring elbows
| Exercise | Primary Focus | Unique Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Z Press | Shoulders/Core | No leg drive, pure pressing power |
| Seal Row | Upper Back | Zero lower-back strain |
| Tate Press | Triceps | Complete tricep activation |
| Face Pull | Rear Delts | Posture correction & shoulder health |
| JM Press | Triceps/Chest | Bench press lockout strength |
Programming Tips for Maximum Gains
- Frequency: Include 2–3 of these moves per week alongside your regular lifts
- Reps & Sets: 3–4 sets of 8–12 reps for hypertrophy
- Progressive Overload: Increase weight gradually or add reps weekly
- Supersets: Pair underrated exercises with big lifts (e.g., Face Pull after Bench Press)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Going Too Heavy: These lifts require control and precision
- Skipping Warm-Ups: Shoulder and elbow joints need proper prep
- Neglecting Balance: Don’t replace basics, use these as accessories
Final Thoughts: Unlock Your Full Upper Body Potential
Adding these underrated upper body exercises to your training can spark new growth, correct imbalances, and make you stronger than ever. Remember: variety and smart programming keep you progressing.
👉 Which of these exercises are you adding to your next workout? Let me know in the comments and share this article with a training partner!
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