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...
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that usually afflicts one joint in the body. According to Dr. Frederick Hatfield, president of the International Sports Sciences Association, exercise helps to keep the joints in good working order, relieves...
Pull ups are challenging exercises that require strength, control and training commitment. Training specifically for pull ups is the key to to performing them. Build strength in your middle and lower back, your biceps and your forearms....
Swimmers are well-known for their slim waists and toned backs. This combination results in a desirable V-shape. The lat muscles of your middle back are V-shaped, so when you have toned lats not covered by excess fat, you can look like a swimmer...
Training the lower lats, where the muscle lays along the back side of the ribs and begins to arc toward the upper arm, adds thickness to the muscle. This thickness emphasizes the appearance of a wider back and narrow hips, what bodybuilders refer...
Surface wise, the back is one of the largest areas on the human body. When fat appears at this location, it can be hidden under a shirt for a little while, but it is only a matter of time before summer rolls around and the bathing suit comes on....
The good news about fat pads by your armpits is they are not in the proximity of your major organs. The bad news is they can cause grief when you wear a bathing suit or tight shirt. Remove this fat by focusing on total body weight loss. Add weight...
Fat rolls are not the easiest problems to deal with, no matter where they appear on the body. If you recently noticed an accumulation of these on your back, there are exercises you can do to get rid of them. You need to remember, however, that...
Kyphosis is a postural abnormality characterized by excessive rounding of the upper back and a consistent forward head alignment. Spinal injuries, arthritis and aging may cause kyphosis, but habitual postural misalignment or muscle imbalances...
Genetics and bone structure determine your body's shape. You can't change wide hip bones, a narrow collarbone or short legs. You can reduce your body fat through dietary modifications and aerobic exercise, increase your lean muscle mass through...
A big upper body is common among body builders and many athletes. A wide back and large arm, chest and shoulder muscles are a source of power and strength. In order to build a big upper body, you must build the muscles that constitute that part of...
Consisting of a long bar, a seat, a high-position pulley and a weight stack, the lat pull down machine is a popular workout tool with which you can perform lat pulls. Lat pulls tone, strengthen and build your latissimus dorsi muscles located on...
The muscles of the back are generally weaker than the muscles of the chest. Your chest muscles are engaged more often in your daily activities compared to your back muscles, increasing your risk for rounded shoulders and a hunched back, warns Paul...
Your latisimus dorsi muscles, sometimes referred to as wing muscles, are located on the side of your back and stretch from your arm pits to your waist. When well developed, you can "flair" these muscles by putting your hands on your hips and...
The back takes up a large surface area on the posterior side of the body. Because of this, fat that appears on the back becomes very obvious when you remove your shirt and slip on your bathing suit in the summer time. If you want to burn off this...
The lat pull-down machine provides an excellent method for beginners to exercise their back. Because the machine allows you to adjust the weight level while guiding you through the motion of the exercise, beginners can rest easy that they will...
Working out in the gym can be easier and safer when you're using exercise machines. Sometimes these are machines that combine weights with pulley systems, allowing you to lift weights without needing a spotting partner. Other exercise machines are...
Walking into the health club can be an intimidating experience if you are new to working out. Dumbbells can cause injury if you are lifting with improper form. But exercise machines give you the ability to lift weights with minimal risk for...
Pulling back the elbows while working out has numerous benefits, which include building muscles in the arms. Knowing how to use your elbows properly while working out helps minimize arm and elbow injuries. Many machines in the gym require you to...
The lats are the large muscles of the middle back that, when developed, give you a V-shaped torso. For fully developed lats, work them using various exercises. The muscle fibers of the lats run diagonally and contract to move your joints in...
Workout equipment names usually reflect their function, which include flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and rotation. The words "press," "pull" and "curl" sometimes substitute for flexion and extension. Examples include the lat pull-down...
Injury involving the back is considered the most common type of injury sustained by U.S. workers, accounting for roughly 20 percent of all reported injuries and illnesses, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....
Your back is made up of a number of muscles: your latissimus dorsi, which is located below your armpits; your erector spinea, which runs up either side of your spine; and your trapezius, which, along with your rhomboids, makes up the upper back...
Completing a pull-up can be a very rewarding feeling. A pull-up is a symbol of technique, strength and determination. However, because it's an advanced exercise it might take some training to reach this goal. There are exercises you can to do...
Your first time at the gym, you might have stared in confusion at all the complicated exercise machines. Weights, pulleys, chains, grips---the number of options can be daunting. Learn about the benefits of the different types of weight-training...
Many people fight the battle of the bulging back. Some complain about the lower-back rolls spilling over their jeans, and women often search for the perfect bra that does not accentuate any upper-back folds. Finding the perfect clothing that best...
Doing full pull-ups requires very strong back muscles, plus some help from your arm and shoulder muscles as well. If you're not quite strong enough to do full pull-ups yet, have no fear--you can usually work up to doing pull-ups, sometimes within...
The lat pull-down has been a staple exercise in workout routines for years. Building the muscles in the back can improve posture and overall health. There are many variations to the lat pull-down that fit into anyone's routine regardless of...
The lat pull-down is effective for building overall upper body strength. This exercise is performed on a machine found at many gym and health clubs and mimics the motion of a pull-up in a seated position. It's important to perform a lat pull-down...
Wide pull-ups are one of the best back strengthening exercises you can do, and it's your body weight so extra equipment is not needed. Modify with a counter resistance band or on a pull up machine. Learn how to perform them in this training video...
