Apart from helping to build lean, firm muscle and aid in the reduction of body fat, resistance training can help you in more functional ways, as well. While this is undoubtedly true of the entire body, I think it's particularly the case for the muscles located in your back.

As I mentioned, aesthetics is usually one of the main reasons for resistance exercise. Building your upper back, for example, will give you the classic V-taper, which will also make your waist appear smaller. That said, I still feel that the increased functionality resistance training offers is of equal importance. With specific regard to your back, resistance training will provide you with more pulling strength. We know what this means inside the gym, but in the real world it can be applied to so many tasks that involve pulling force. It can also help you throw harder; your upper back is involved in the internal rotation of your upper arms, so strengthening it gives that extra bit of power when throwing a ball. And, perhaps most importantly, a strong back can help you maintain correct posture.

It's sometimes easy to forget that exercise does more for our bodies than what meets the eye; that is, until we start to feel better and stronger after completely everyday activities -- especially those that require you to "put your back into it."