After undergoing back surgery, it is important to undergo rehabilitation treatment to gain mobility and improve function in the muscles. Once you complete the rehab program and have regained initial strength in the back muscles, you can then perform exercises with weights to build those muscles and gain a new level of strength. The process needs to be progressive, using lighter weights first and then increasing the workload as your strength begins to increase.
Machine Lat bar Pulldown
Machine lat bar pulldowns strengthen several back muscles, including the lats, teres major and rhomboids. The biceps also play a role during the movement. Attach the lat bar onto the overhead machine hook. Sit down on the machine seat with your feet in front of you and flat on the ground. Grab the overhead lat bar using an overhand grip with your hands a bit wider than shoulder-width apart. Pull the bar down by bending the elbows and slightly leaning the torso back. Focus on the back muscles during the motion. Once the bar is near your chin, return it back up by extending the elbows and leaning the torso forward to the starting position.
Machine V-Handle Pulldown
This exercise is similar to the machine lat bar pulldown, except a v-handle is used with a close hand grip instead of a lat bar and a wider grip. The movement works the lats, teres major, rhomboids and biceps. Attach the v-handle onto the overhead machine hook and sit on the machine seat with your feet down on the floor in front of you. Hold the overhead v-handle with both hands in an overhand grip. Bring the v-handle down towards your chin by bending the elbows and leaning the torso back a bit. Contract the back muscles and then raise the v-handle up to the start by extending the elbows and leaning the torso forward.
Barbell Bent-Over Underhand Row
Barbell bent-over underhand rows build the lats, teres major, rhomboids, traps and biceps muscles. Place the barbell on the ground and stand in front of it. Bend the knees, lean the torso forward, keeping the back straight and grab the barbell using an underhand grip with both hands at a distance slightly wider than shoulder-width apart from one another. Lift the barbell up towards your lower stomach by bending the elbows. Then lower the barbell back down by extending the elbows. Avoid rocking the torso during the motion. Instead, perform each repetition in a controlled fashion, making sure to concentrate on the back muscles.
