Your lat muscles, or latissimus dorsi, extend from the lower thoracic spine, lower scapulae, the third and fourth ribs and upper crests of your pelvis to the intertubercular groove of your shoulders near the head of your biceps, according to...
The latissimus dorsi, or lats, are the largest muscles of the back, located on each side of your body in the middle back and lower back region. The main functions of the lats are to adduct and extend the shoulders. You can build up the latissimus...
Your lat muscles, short for latissimus dorsi muscles, are located on both sides of your back, spanning from your middle spine to your lower spine. Some poses practiced in yoga, an ancient system of holistic health, strengthen and stretch the...
The lat pulldown movement is named specifically after a major triangular muscle that connects to your shoulder, shoulder blade and hip. This muscle is called latissimus dorsi, and while the lat pulldown exercises multiple muscles, the primary...
The lat pulldown machine is a piece of fixed resistance equipment that is found in most gyms. The machine is suitable for both men and women to use and the action required is very simple to perform. Incorporating this machine into your weight...
Lat, or lateral, pulldowns are a pulley machine exercise that replicates the more challenging pullups and chinups. Classed as a compound upper-body pulling exercise, lat pulldowns affect a variety of upper-body muscles and are popular with fitness...
The lat pulldown is often performed on a lat pulldown machine and is one of the best ways to strengthen and define your latissimus dorsi muscle, or the lats. Bodybuilders are often concerned with this exercise, since it results in a "V" shape...
A lat pulldown machine consists of a long bar suspended by a cord that is attached to a stack of weights, and a chair positioned directly under the bar. Sit upright on the chair and extend your arms overhead to grasp the bar with your hands wider...
A lat pulldown works your back and biceps with assistance from other, smaller muscles. To perform the exercise, which simulates a chinup, you must have access to a pulldown machine. These devices are found in many gyms and allow you to perform...
The "lat" in lat pulldown is short for latissimus dorsi, and that is primarily what the exercise targets. As with most exercises, more muscles get involved in the movement than just the latissimus dorsi. There are a number of ways that this...
Weight machines give you the ability to work your muscles from seated, standing and lying positions. A lat pulldown machine has an adjustable seat, padded thigh support and overhead pulley and cable system that attaches to a weight stack. The lat...
The reverse lat pulldown is a variation to the regular pulldown. Instead of gripping the bar with an overhand grip, you use an underhand grip where your palms face your body. Working this exercise into your training plan will help build strength...
If you lack the strength to perform chin-ups, use a machine to build muscle until your strength levels increase. The biangular pulldown simulates chin-ups and the rotating handles allow you to pull with the grip of your choice. This exercises...
The most effective ways to exercise your latissimus dorsi muscles, better known as lats, are done in an exercise-friendly environment, such as a gym or your home. However, you can also adapt some of these exercises to be done at your desk while at...
Back fat seems to accumulate on women around the bra line under the arm and just below the bra line along the rib cage. You can lose this body fat by expending more calories than what you eat. Lift heavy weights without fear of bulking up; it...
Good back stretches can be done sitting down or lying on your back. They maintain and increase the range of motion of the shoulders, vertebral and hip joints. The American College of Sports Medicine advises that stretching during the afternoon...
Stretches for the shoulder blade help to stretch the muscles responsible for drawing your shoulder blades together and bringing your arms back toward your body. Shoulder blade stretches are also essential in maintaining and improving the range of...
A variety of exercises are effective in working the obliques, which are part of the core muscles and help provide the body with overall balance and stability. The latissimus dorsi muscles, also known as the lats, are located on the sides of your...
The latissimus dorsi or lat is the big, fanning muscle you see on the backs of well-muscled people. Certainly, you have this muscle, too, although you may need to build up your lats so your back appears quite toned. The latissimus dorsi helps give...
Your lat muscles can be found in the middle of your back and, according to Shape Fit, are responsible for helping you extend, rotate and pull your arms in toward your body. The lats are engaged during activities that require your arms to pull,...
A 2010 article in "The New York Times" reported that more people are lifting weights than ever before, which is causing more injuries and visits to the emergency room. A study from 1990 to 2007 reveals that nearly 1 million Americans had a...
The Pilates method of exercise was designed to enhance strength, flexibility, core strength and postural alignment. The exercises are performed on specialized Pilates equipment or in mat classes, without equipment. Some instructors add exercise...
The Mayo Clinic's website asserts that you can reap a range of benefits from regular exercise and physical activity. These benefits include prevention of chronic disease, weight loss and management, higher energy, better sleep, better sex and an...
Lat pull exercises are those activities that work the latissimus dorsi muscles, abbreviated the lats. The lats are located on your back on either side of your middle spine. They are triangular muscles that originate at four points: the ilium, the...
A strong middle back is important for proper posture, muscular balance and injury prevention. In order to strengthen the middle spine, you need to perform exercises that recruit your latissimus dorsi and erector spinae muscles. Specific strength...
The lats, or latissimus dorsi, are located in the middle or your back and run along your sides. The lats are involved in arm extension, rotation and adduction. Using your body weight, free weights and a chin-up bar you can perform lat exercises at...
As one of the hardest bodyweight exercises, pull-ups, when done correctly, can help strengthen and tone your back, arms and shoulders. Yet improper form can strain your shoulders, injuring them as quickly as it takes to do one repetition. Simply...
Back exercises are classified either as horizontal or vertical pulling movements. You either pull weights toward you horizontally from the front as in a row, or pull the weight vertically down across your body. Figuring out which exercise is best...
The latissimus dorsi muscle system, also known as lats, runs from the sides of your chest wall into the upper back and play an important role in maintaining proper posture. Keeping this muscle system stretched and strengthened can be accomplished...