Page 116 - Muscle & Fitness (February 2020)

R E A S O N # 2 :

YOUR LATS

ARE WEAK

ost lifters rightly

think of the deadlift
as a hamstring and
glute builder, which
it is. But just as
important a player for proper
execution of the lift are your
lats—those slabs of sinew on
the sides of your upper back.
Prime movers in exercises
like rows and pulldowns, the
lats also serve another es-
sential function: “They help
stabilize the spine,” Shallow
says. If your lats are weak, he
explains, your spine is likely
to round forward when you

the classic pullup: “If you can’t
do one rep with your body
weight, then your lats aren’t
strong enough to deadlift,”

Shallow adds.
Another lat builder that
Shallow recommends is the
rope straight-arm pullover.
Place a bench with one end
near a low-pulley machine,

cable. Lie on your back with

the rope, and extend your

chest. Keeping your arms

upper arms until they’re near

the move, keeping your

throughout the move.

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