Back Exercises
Muscles worked: This exercise emphasizes your upper back (the latissimus dorsi, teres major and rear deltoid muscles), as well as the muscles between the lower part of your shoulder blades (lower trapezius muscles). The triceps muscles, located on the back of the upper arms, will also be involved.
Pulley position: Lat tower.
Starting position:
•Remove the bench, straddle the rail and stand on the platform facing the Power Rods.
•Grasp the lat bar at shoulder width or slightly wider with your palms down.
•Step back slightly. This may have to be adjusted on the first rep to insure that there is enough movement in the cable to complete the range of motion.
•Lift your chest and tighten your abdominals to stabilize your spine while maintaining a very slight arch in the lower back.
Motion:
•Keeping your arms straight, initiate the movement by pulling your shoulder blades down and together while simultaneously drawing your arms downward to the front, and then in toward your legs.
•Allowing your shoulder blades to move with your arms, slowly return to the starting position.
Key points:
•Do not lose spinal alignment — keep chest lifted.
•Keep the lats tightened throughout the entire motion.
•Keep your elbows nearly straight (not locked) throughout the entire exercise.
START
BARBELL BENT OVER ROW
Muscles worked: This exercise emphasizes the latissimus dorsi, teres major and rear deltoid muscles which make up the large pulling muscles of your upper back as well as the trapezius and rhomboids. The biceps muscles on the front of the upper arms are also involved in this movement. Strength in the spinal erectors and control over posture will be critical in this position.
Pulley position: Low pulley.
Starting position:
•Remove the bench, straddle the rail and stand facing away from the Power Rods.
•Grasp the bar with an overhand grip.
•The bar harness may have to be adjusted to insure that there is enough movement in the cable to complete the range of motion. In some cases the harness may have to be removed and the cable snap hook connected directly to the
•Position your trunk almost parallel to the platform by bending from your hips (not the waist) and by bending your knees and sticking your hips out while lifting your chest. Tighten your abdominals to stabilize your spine while maintaining a flat lower back.
Motion:
•Initiate the movement by pinching the shoulder blades back and together while simultaneously drawing your elbows back and upward toward the sides of your body.
•Keep the forearms pointing in the direction of the cable.
•Slowly return to the starting position, straightening the arm and letting the shoulder blades slide forward without slouching and bending the spine.
Key points:
•Do not lose spinal alignment — keep chest lifted.
•Keep the lats tightened throughout the entire motion.
•Release your shoulder blades at the end of each rep and initiate each new rep by retracting (pinching) your shoulder blades.
FINISH
START
FINISH
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