Best workout(s) for back muscles to improve posture?

[lolwut]

I'm naturally a bit hunched over, what are some good back exercises for posture improvement?

preferably something that doesn't strain the spine as much as deadlifts.

 

[MikeBrown30]

Yeah, doing those deadlifts will definitely snap your spine in half. I mean, everytime I see someone do a deadlift, they be leaving the gym on a stretcher. Grow some balls and deadlift. I don't even want to hear what you think of squats.

 

[The Bad Ass Canadian]

Proper deadlifts should be of no risk to the spine. If you're arching your back or feeling too much pressure on your spine and lower back, you have too much weight on the bar. 99% of the time, this means your core muscles are weak and can't support the weight/pressure needed to hold proper form, so they are forced to rely on the skeletal structure to support itself, which is the right way for a bad injury. I always get my clients to strengthen their cores and abdominal muscles before I put them on a deadlift routine.

 

[The Bad Ass Canadian]

Forgot to add:

In terms of posture, you want exercises that will bring the shoulder blades back and together. (various rows, for example) Bring your belly button towards your spine with a solid ab routine and pull the shoulders back by adding some muscle fibers up there, and you'll naturally have good posture. When those areas are weak, you will slouch.

Targeting the erector spinae with goodmornings, bent over rows and hyper-extensions will do a world of wonders, too.

 

[shizz702]

If you aren't willing to give the deadlift an honest go then you aren't going to get very far in this game.

Everyone should be able to get to 315 at a bare minimum on it.

Get up to 405 and then tell me you still have back problems.

Also, specifically for posture hyperextensions and shrugging movements are good.