If you line up two guys with the same amount of muscle and fat on their frame, the guy with broader shoulders and a slimmer waist always appears fitter and stronger.

That’s why I designed this workout to pack muscle onto your frame—especially your back and shoulders—while cutting your gut in the process.

(According to our new poll, in which 200 Real Women Reveal the First Thing They Notice about a Guy, your shoulders are what she checks out before your chest, butt, or package!)

So start using this routine today—to build a V-shaped torso and a more powerful physique.

Designed By
Nick Tumminello, C.P.T., owner of Performance University international

Best For
Enhancing upper-body strength and definition, revving metabolism, and building functional, real-world strength

Equipment
Barbell, weight plates, medicine ball, lat pulldown machine, dumbbell, cable station (rope and standard handles)

Calories Burned
394 _{as measured by a fit 6’2”. 185-pound man using a Polar M400 heart rate monitor}

Time
31 minutes

Directions
Replace one of your weekly workouts with this one. Do the exercises in the order shown.

Perform paired exercises (1A and 1B, 2A and 2B, 4A and 4B) as supersets—that is, back-to-back with 1 set of both moves equaling 1 superset.

Perform unpaired moves (i.e., exercises 3 and 5) as regular sets.

Rest for 60 seconds between each set or superset.

1A. Barbell Straight-Leg Deadlift

Grab a barbell using an overhand grip, and let it hang at arm’s length in front of you. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent.

Brace your core, push your hips back, and lower your chest until it’s nearly parallel to the floor (don’t round your back). Thrust your hips forward to return to the starting position.

Reps: 8

1B. Pushup Lockoff

Assume a pushup position but place your right hand on a medicine ball. Keeping your body straight, lower your chest until it’s a few inches from the floor. Now push up until your right arm is straight, and touch your right shoulder with your left hand.

Return to the starting position. Do all your reps and then repeat with your left hand on the ball.

Reps: 8 per arm
Supersets: 4

2A. Underhand-Grip Lat Pulldown

Sit at a lat pulldown machine and grab the bar using an underhand grip with your hands shoulder-width apart.

Without moving your torso, pull the bar to your chest as you squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pause, and return to the starting position.

Reps: 8

2B. Dumbbell Single-Arm Shoulder Press

Stand holding a dumbbell in your left hand in front of your left shoulder.

Press the weight directly above your shoulder; then lower it. Do all your reps, switch arms, and repeat.

Reps: 6 per arm
Supersets: 4

3. Single-Arm Compound Row

Set a cable handle to hip height and grab it in your right hand, arm extended. Push your hips back; then thrust them forward, rowing the cable to your chest.

Do all your reps, switch hands, and repeat.
Reps: 10 per arm
Sets: 3

4A. Straight-Arm Pulldown

Attach a rope handle to the highest setting of a cable station. Holding an end of the rope in each hand, push your hips back with your arms extended.

Without bending your arms, thrust your hips forward and pull the handle to your thighs. Return to the starting position and repeat.

Reps: 10

4B. Face Pull

Stand holding the rope handle so the ends point toward the ceiling as shown. Bend your elbows and squeeze your shoulders together as you pull the sides of the rope to your ears.

Return to the starting position and repeat.

Reps: 10
Supersets: 3

5. Plate Chop

Holding a weight plate, bend your knees and rotate your torso left as you lower the weight to the outside of your left knee. Then rise up as you rotate right and lift it above your right shoulder; pause and pivot back down to your left.

Reps: 6 per side (not alternating)
Sets: 3