
055 How to build the biggest back possible
From Hypertrophy Past and Present by Chris Beardsley and Jake Doleschal
June 8, 2026 · 1h 22m · Episode 65
About this episode
Jake and Chris discuss effective methods for building a strong back, including historical routines and modern exercises.
In this episode of Hypertrophy Past & Present, Jake and Chris discuss how to build the biggest back possible. The episode begins with a back specialization routine from Silver Era educator Peary Rader before breaking down the most effective modern exercises for lats, traps, rear delts, and spinal erectors. Key topics include: • Peary Rader's Silver Era back specialization routine • Why lats are best trained with both sagittal and frontal plane exercises • The most overrated back exercise according to Chris • Kelso shrugs vs vertical shrugs • The challenge of directly training spinal erectors • Are deadlifts are enough to build the spinal erectors • The simple 3-exercise framework for back training • The controversy surrounding Jefferson curls and loaded spinal flexion
People in this episode
Hosts: Chris Beardsley, Jake Doleschal
Topics covered
- back training
- exercise techniques
- muscle specialization
- spinal erectors
- lat training
- Silver Era fitness
Keywords
- back specialization
- lats
- traps
- spinal erectors
- deadlifts
- Jefferson curls
- Kelso shrugs
More episodes of Hypertrophy Past and Present
- 054 Strength vs Hypertrophy: Is Powerbuilding the Solution? · June 1, 2026 · 1h 6m
- 053 Progression Models and the Truth About Progressive Overload · May 25, 2026 · 1h 22m
- 052 Resting 2-3 minutes between sets isn't "optimal" · May 18, 2026 · 1h 26m
- 051 The silver era perfected drop sets 75 years ago · May 11, 2026 · 1h 16m
- 050 Are circuits for hypertrophy the next big thing? · May 5, 2026 · 1h 11m
- 049 The data says you need more first sets · April 26, 2026 · 1h 43m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Hypertrophy Past and Present podcast page.