Out of sight should not mean out of our exercise routine.

We’ll work our arms, give our legs some attention, and squeeze in a few crunches. But how often do we intentionally think about our backs?

They deserve some love, too! And here’s a point I want us to remember: our back muscles are part of our core.

Yes, our core has a back side! 💪🏾

Let’s Think Beyond the Six-Pack

When we hear “core,” many of us immediately think about our abs. But our core includes muscles around our middle—in our abdomen, lower back, hips, and pelvis.

These muscles work together to support our spine, help us maintain an upright posture, and keep us steady as we move.

So while crunches and planks can have a place in our routines, they shouldn’t be the beginning and end of how we think about core training. We need to give attention to the muscles behind us, too.

Meet the Muscles Behind the Movement

In my accompanying exercise reel, I’ve included a few simple anatomy illustrations. Understanding what we’re working helps us bring more intention to our movement.

Our trapezius, or “traps,” extends from our neck across our shoulders and down toward the middle of our back. It helps move and stabilize our shoulder blades.

Our rhomboids sit between our spine and shoulder blades, beneath the trapezius. They help draw our shoulder blades together and keep them steady.

Our erector spinae runs along both sides of our spine. This muscle group helps straighten and support our back—and contributes to keeping us upright.

You’ll also see the rear deltoids highlighted. Those are shoulder muscles that help move our arms and work alongside our back muscles during certain movements.

Different exercises involve different combinations of these muscles. That’s one reason a well-rounded routine matters.

We’re Building Strength for the Life We Love

Think about how often we ask our bodies to lift, carry, reach, and steady us throughout the day.

There are groceries to bring inside. Bags to carry. Things to put away. And for those of us with grandchildren, there’s playing, lifting, and being ready when those little arms reach up! ❤️

Our backs and the rest of our core help us meet those everyday demands.

And yes, muscle definition can be a welcome benefit. But I want us to think about what that strength allows us to keep doing—participating, enjoying, and showing up for the people and experiences that matter.

Give Our Backs Intentional Attention

Start by looking at your routine: does back work have a regular place, or does it get whatever time is left?

As we exercise, let’s make good form the priority. Choose resistance we can control, move deliberately, and adjust the movement to our abilities. The goal is purposeful work we can build on consistently.

A reel can introduce ideas, but it doesn’t have to set our pace. We can pause, take our time, and make each movement count.

Let’s give our backs the same intention we give the muscles we can easily see.

At BMSHealthandFitnezz, I help clients build sustainable exercise habits that support their goals and everyday lives. If you’d like personalized guidance, let’s connect for a complimentary consultation and explore whether one-on-one virtual coaching is a fit.

Body • Mind • Soul
Stay Ready with Barbara!

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Learn more: Mayo Clinic—Core exercises⁠ and Cleveland Clinic—Back muscles⁠.