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When we think of back development, the main concept that is preached is width. Therefore, our training style actual becomes bias due to the fact we are mainly doing exercises that target specifically expanding the width of our backs. By doing this, we are neglecting the thickness of our back muscles causing us to lack inner definition. We must do exercises that target the back specifically for width, as well as exercises that target the back specifically for thickness. Training each aspect will allow our backs to grow more aesthetically and avoid any lagging areas. Do these four exercises to optimally train both aspects of your back.
Exercise 1: Weighted Pull-Ups
Whether you are able to add weight on or not, the pull-up is an extremely effective exercise for increasing the width of your back. Since you are hanging from the bar, gravity is naturally pulling you down. The process of pulling yourself up will primarily activate the upper lats and the rhomboids to complete the motion. At the top portion of the pull-up, come up so that the bar is as close to your upper chest as possible and focus on flexing your lats. At the bottom portion of the pull-up, come down all day way to a dead hang to avoid any momentum and also allowing your lats to be fully stretched.
Adding weight on to the exercise will increase the intensity of the activation of the muscles. If you are doing this exercise weighted or you find pull-ups very challenging, gear it towards the beginning of your workouts, but you can also do these as a burn out at the end of your workout if you’re more advanced. Weighted pull-ups are a must do exercise to expand the width of your back!
Exercise 2: Pendlay Rows
The pendlay row is an explosive version of the barbell row that is performed from the floor and another extremely effective exercise for increasing the width of your back. Due to the explosiveness of this exercise, more muscles are recruited to complete the motion. This movement will target your lats, rhomboids, and lower traps. Since this is a pulling motion, the biceps will work as secondary movers. For stability, the spinal erectors will be activated as well. After every single repetition, come to a complete dead stop. This will allow you lift more weight overloading your back and to really focus on the movement with the slight rest in between reps.
Do this exercise towards the beginning of your workout to really take advantage of overloading your back. As you get heavier with the weight, hip activation is acceptable but you always want to make sure you’re in control of the movement the entire time and the back is still being properly isolated. Pendlay rows are a second must do exercise to expand the width of your back!
Exercise 3: Seated Dumbbell Low Rows
Seated dumbbell low rows are a very efficient exercise in targeting the thickness of your back and improving the middle definition. Therefore as you get wider performing the first two exercises, this exercise will build a bigger middle back. Even though you are seated, your body’s positioning is still bent over which means that your spinal erectors will be activated as stabilizers.
As you row in keeping the dumbbells close to your side and your core tight, every rep you should feel a pinch indicating that you are fully activating your lower lats. This pinching sensation is actually your lower lats flexing from the isolation of the movement. Since this exercise is more strict and isolated, gear it towards the end of your workout to burn out your middle back. Seated dumbbell low rows are a must do exercise to build the thickness of your middle back!
Exercise 4: T-Bar Rows
The T-Bar row is another very efficient exercise in targeting the overall thickness of your back and improving the middle definition. This exercise will place more of an emphasis on strength than the seated dumbbell low row, therefore gear it more towards the beginning of your workouts. Since the T-Bar row isn’t as much of an isolation exercise, more muscles are recruited to complete the movement. The lats, teres major, spinal erectors, traps, and biceps are all activated in this exercise.
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36 comments
Your channel is the best fitness channel
3:48 Picks up the barbells like an animal hahahah
Way to much talking
Everybody wants to talk about his accent, but nobody wants to lift no heavy-ass weights
The thumbnail just looks gross
Mmm my spine is so erect right now..
These dudes got swoll backs…what should you eat for a back workout?…
Arri pooku gadu
Ayyyye I love anabolic aliens
your back doesnt impress much though
Anabolic alein
Thanks for taking the time to post these.
Hi @scotthermanfitness great video. What kind of steroids is your friend taking?
U missed dumbbell pullover.
I just do normal barbell rows and I have zero fatigue in my lower back. Will definitely try sitted rows and pullups though. T-bar rows are amazing I must say. But I just use my hands to lift the bar.
Tee baa row
The worst thing is when you do back day right after leg day. Doing any variation of a bent over exercise sucks when your legs are sore haha. Gonna do these on my next back day! 🙂
Who else thinks the body on the right in the thumbnail is disgusting
Yes, I have a question. How dos the proper form of the Pendalay Row differ from that of the Deadlift?
It breaks my back..
Bah bel
You know he from Boston lol #Baaah belll
Frank Columbo. Never dose weighted pullups
'T" Bar row, this how weaklings drop the barbell with heavy weights and bend the Barbells , reduce weight and be Normal
why does mike sound like he's always out of breath?
Are those stupid muscle group sound effects really necessary?
You can't target your lower lats, your entire lat is involved in the process of extending your humerus regardless of the angle of the elbow.
Tysm
I am sure you can learn more on Unflexal Workouts page. Best workouts ebooks on net.
One of your best videos ever!!
Can't wait to try these out tomorrow!
4:05 should we keep our back a little more straight?
it's his hand!!! they're like the hands of a doll… i couldn't figure out why that guy looked so funny.
Hi man if i'm doing- pull ups, t bar row, and lat pullover is it good?
T-ba lol.
talking about a broader and deeper back but don't have one themselves
I love training my lats. I punish them HARD, every set to failure + more. Finish the workout with biceps which are already hammered. Like the 'animal' Scott.