How do you develop killer lats? First, you need to do lat pulldowns. Then you need to do pull-ups. After you’re done with that, try some rows, and then finish off with some pullovers. Or… you could just perform the reverse-grip bent-over row and get nearly the same results as combining a series of back-focused
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Even if you skipped Latin class or missed boarding school altogether, most lifters in the gym are familiar with their lats — the large, fan-shaped muscle that occupies most of your back. This makes sense because “latissimus dorsi” translates to “broadest muscle of the back side.” Well-developed lats enhance the breadth of your physique by
They say, “you gotta row to grow.” And what they’re (almost always) referring to is the big, basic, bent-over barbell row. The barbell row is one of the most challenging exercises you can you implement into your back workouts. Credit: Miljan Zivkovic / Shutterstock The barbell row is often considered one of the most fundamental
Back workouts will always require both vertical and horizontal pulling exercises for complete development. While pull-ups and pulldowns are common vertical pulls, one of the most fundamental horizontal pulling exercises is the single-arm dumbbell row. The single-arm dumbbell row is a unilateral (single-side) exercise that builds the strength and size of the latissimus dorsi (large
Although it isn’t one of the “mirror muscles” — body parts looking back in your reflection like the chest, shoulders, and arms — a well-developed back will balance your physique. A strong back will also improve functionality and aid performance in other exercises such as the bench press, deadlift, and shoulder press. It’s easy to
Back exercises come in two basic patterns: vertical, or overhead, pulls, like the classic pull-up, and horizontal rows. Many lifters are familiar with standard pull-ups, chin-ups, and pulldowns, but the wide variety of rows requires more specific attention. The seated cable row offers distinct advantages over barbells, dumbbells, or other machines. The combination of body