The phrase
"upper lats" refers to the upper part of the latissimus dorsi muscle, which is located in the back.
Full definition
As we mentioned before, a wide grip brings more
upper lat fibers into play, so you want to also use it on a lat bar for cable rows.
Although many of these muscles are working synchronously in each exercise, you can always shift the focus to a specific area, such as
upper lats for example.
However, many bodybuilders also have
wide upper lats but narrow and weak lower lats.
In the peak position, as the bar is approaching your torso, your upper arms should be perpendicular to it and parallel to the floor, and you should be able to draw a line from your elbow across
your upper lats, rhombs and middle traps.
Lat pull - ins are ideally done with one arm and a cable that's coming from an angle between 45 and 60 degrees from the side — 45 degrees are better for working
the upper lat fibers, while 60 degrees are ideal for the lower lat fibers.
In other words, this exercise combines scapular depression and scapular retraction in the most effective way and can exhaust
the upper lats in a very unique way that enables better mass gains.
They are usually located on the sides of
the upper lats or the pectorals, and can also be seen on the biceps.
For example, by pulling the dumbbell back and toward the hip, you activate more of the lower lat fibers, and by pulling up in a straight line you can hit more of
the upper lats.
You can also work different parts of your back by altering the way you grip the bar, for example, taking a wide grip will work
the upper lats, whilst a more, narrow grip will focus more on the lower lats and biceps.
And when it comes to achieving maximum activation of
the upper lats and getting them to grow nice and wide, nothing beats the wide - grip pull - up.
Since your hands are placed closer to each other, you can execute a wider range of motion, and as a result the focus of the pull moves to your lower lats, with
the upper lats still handling most of the weight.
To better target
the upper lats and teres major, lean forward a bit.
This greatly under - appreciated exercise is terrific at isolating
the upper lats and the teres major, which is crucial for achieving maximum back width, so it really needs to be the go - to move for anyone looking to enhance his V - taper.
Wide - grip pull - ups will target mainly
the upper Lats, whereas chin - ups will isolate the middle back and lower lat region, plus your biceps of - cause.
The first style of chinning hits primarily
the upper lats, while front chins tend to work the lower lats more.
So, pulling the bar to your clavicles will hit
the upper lats, rhomboids, and rear delts.
This builds width in
your upper lats.
This is another good exercise for building width in
the upper lats.
Also, because of the difference in arm position, the lower - lat and lower - trap muscles work harder in the chin - up, while the rear (posterior) delts, middle traps, and
upper lats work harder in the pull - up.
This RumbleRoller - exclusive feature is especially useful on dense muscles (e.g. your calves) and hard - to - roll areas (e.g.
your upper lat).
Dorian performed this in a more upright fashion, making it hit
his upper lats and traps with ferocity.
Note: This one is going to drill
your upper lats and also build thickness and depth in your biceps.