The rear deltoids are the primary muscles targeted in the face pull exercise. Additionally, the rhomboids, which allow you to pinch the shoulder blades together, and the middle trapezius (upper back) also play a role in executing this move.
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Are kneeling face pulls good?
Face pulls are one of the best corrective exercises to help fix poor posture and shoulder dysfunction. They help strengthen the chronically weak muscles in our upper body that get stretched out all day as we sit in a slumped position at the computer or driving our cars.
How do you put on a kneeling face pull?

What do face pulls work?
The face pull targets muscle groups around your shoulder jointsโspecifically the posterior deltoids (rear delts) and rotator cuff muscles like the infraspinatusโimproving scapular stability and strength.
Why do kneeling face pulls?
The half kneeling banded face pull utilizes bands to provide accommodating resistance where the amount of resistance amplifies the closer you get to a complete contraction. Also, by utilizing a half kneeling stance, you eliminate some of the need for the core to stabilize the body during the exercise.
What’s better than face pulls?
- Reverse Dumbbell Flyes: Just like face pulls, reverse dumbbell flyes are often a staple in programs.
- Reverse Cable Flyes:
- Chest Supported Reverse Flys:
- Reverse Pec Deck:
- Band Pull Apart:
- Cable Machine External Rotations:
- Wide Grip Bent Over Row:
Should you lean back on face pulls?
Lean backward rather than forward. As you work through your face pulls, you might feel yourself starting to lean forward while you pull. This might indicate that you have equipped too many weights or are working the wrong muscles. Always make sure you are leaning slightly backward rather than forward.
Are face pulls enough for rear delts?
Face pulls are an excellent exercise for the rear deltoids, trapezius, and upper back muscles.
Are face pulls necessary?
Face pulls can benefit most lifters and gymgoers, as they help to strengthen the posterior shoulder muscles, improve posture, and add stability for overhead and pressing movements.
How often should I do face pulls?
Usually performed with a cable tower or bands, Cavaliere says the face pull is a “quick, easy” move that can be done every day to contribute to improved posture, healthier shoulders, and increased strength in some of the smaller, often-overlooked muscles in the upper back.
Do face pulls fix rounded shoulders?
Band Face-Pull This is among the best exercises to fix rounded shoulders. You’re going to keep your knees bent slightly, bend your elbows and pull the elastic band towards you in line with your neck and shoulders. Keep your neck and upper body still and squeeze your shoulders with each rep.
Do shrugs build neck?
No, the shrug exercise does not make the neck bigger. The shrugs do hit muscles near your neck like the upper trapezius and the levator scapulae, but the won’t really help thicken and make your neck look more muscular.
Are face pulls enough?
But you’re probably not doing enough horizontal pulling. Face pulls target your traps, rear delts, and rhomboids, which makes your back look thicc and fills out the top of your V-shape. They’re also great for building a stable upper body for bigger lifts and improving your posture.
Where do face pulls target?
Face Pulls mainly target the rear deltoids, rhomboids and middle trapezius (traps). The rhomboids are worked as you pinch your shoulders together. The exercise also improves the shoulders in general and the rotator cuff muscles such as the infraspinatus.
Do face pulls work back or shoulders?
The move is easier to perform than pullups, and safer for your shoulder joints than many other back and shoulder options. You’ll work your traps, rear delts, rotator cuffs, and mid-back muscles as well as prevent against injuries. Check out the video above to learn perfect face pull form.
Do face pulls work biceps?
The face pull works the upper posterior chain muscles which include rhomboids (Upper back), rear deltoids, trapezius, and even the biceps since it’s a pulling movement.
Should you retract scapula on face pulls?
More videos on YouTube Many retract/depress the shoulder blades when they bring the attachment towards their face, and then make the mistake of keeping the shoulder blades there when extending their arms. To repeat: the shoulder blades should move around the ribcage.
Do face pulls work traps?
The face pull is the ultimate movement to sculpt your upper back into a muscle roadmap. This exercise works mainly your rear delts and middle traps.
Is face pull a compound exercise?
Are Face Pulls A Compound Exercise or Isolation Exercise? Face Pulls should be considered a compound exercise. They train the rear deltoids, the rotator cuff, the upper back and a little bit of the biceps.
How do you do face pulls without a machine?

Should face pulls be above head?

How do face pulls stay balanced?
Keep the elbows up, above the shoulders, do not let them go below the shoulders. As you pull the rope towards your face, pull the rope apart increasing the distance between your hands. At the end of the movement, as you’re pulling to rope apart, squeeze the shoulder blades together.
Do face pulls build muscle?
Face Pulls are an isolation cable (or banded) exercise that activates and improves your back and shoulders. They are highly effective both as a warm up and as a strength and muscle building exercise in their own right.
Do face pulls work side Delt?
The band face pull is one of the best mass builders for medial delts while also being a great exercise for shoulder strength. To properly perform the exercise, loop a resistance band around a post at shoulder height.
Do you need to isolate rear delts?
The rear delts still need rest: Typically, you don’t want to work a muscle on consecutive days to allow for more optimal recovery. So, if you want to hit your rear delts hard, consider separating your back and shoulder workouts by at least 48 hours.