Shoulders · Band

Loop Band Face Pull

Rear-delt and upper-back glue with just a loop band.

Loop Band Face Pull exercise demonstration
ShouldersSecondary: BackBand

How to do it

  1. Anchor the loop band at face height and grip it with both hands, palms down.
  2. Step back until there's tension and brace your core.
  3. Pull the band toward your forehead, splitting your hands wide.
  4. Squeeze the rear delts, then return slowly.

The one cue that matters

Lead with the elbows high and externally rotate so your knuckles end up by your ears.

Muscles worked

Pulling a band toward your forehead with hands splitting wide trains the rear delts as the prime movers, with the upper back muscles squeezing the shoulder blades together to finish each rep. The external rotation at the end, knuckles rotating back beside your ears, is what separates a proper face pull from a lazy row and what makes it such effective medicine for pressing-heavy programmes. It's the rare exercise that pays off in both looks and shoulder health, which is why coaches sneak it into almost everything.

FAQ

How often can I do band face pulls?

Several times a week is fine, they're low fatigue and most people's rear delts and upper back are chronically undertrained. Two or three sets at the end of upper sessions, or as a daily movement snack, both work.

Why do I only feel face pulls in my arms?

You're pulling with your hands instead of leading with your elbows. Lighten the tension, drive the elbows high and wide first, and think about your knuckles finishing beside your ears, not your hands touching your face.

What height should I anchor the band for face pulls?

Face height or slightly above. Anchoring too low turns it into an upward row and cramps the rotation, too high and it becomes a pulldown. Eye level keeps the pull tracking straight at your forehead.

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