Latissimus Dorsi Exercises Without Machine - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Nachtschleicher · 02-20-2005, 10:48 PM

Hello. I need to work on my latissimus dorsi muscles (or lats, the muscles that give you that nice "V" shape). I've been using the lat pull machine, but I am looking to expand.

I like using dumbbells (because I believe I isolate the muscle - i.e. one muscle isn't doing more work than the other because it's stronger), but will use barbells.

Anyway, if you know of any exercises that'll help develop my lats, let me know! Thanks for your time! Have a good 'un!

SiNai · 02-20-2005, 11:04 PM

Pullups (Wide grip)- not dumbell but best thing for lats out there
Bent Over Rows
Pullovers

mazagmot · 02-21-2005, 02:05 AM

Check it!(exrx.net)
SiNai hit it pretty much on the head: rows and pullups/pulldowns. The site above lists a bunch of variations on the theme and will give directions and a short animated .gif showing form. I'm a fan of wid grip pullups, my self.

stevie667 · 02-21-2005, 08:47 AM

Pullups, wide grip pull ups and bent over dumbell rows.

Nachtschleicher · 03-01-2005, 09:45 AM

Thanks for the tips. I tried doing pull ups, but since I'm such a heavy guy (235 and 6' 3") I have a hard time doing more than 1 and 1/2 (I know, that's really wimpy).

What can I do to start doing more pull ups?

frogza · 03-01-2005, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nachtschleicher

What can I do to start doing more pull ups?

Change the angle of the pullup. Instead of doing straight up and down, try setting a chair a few feet away from the bar, rest your feet on the chair and start doing your pullups. It won't hit your lats the same way normal pullups would but it will work several of the "support" muscles. Since the weight won't be as high you should be able to do a few more. Slowly work your way to the real thing.

BigBlueWrecking · 03-02-2005, 07:27 AM

Most gyms have pull up machines that allow a sort of spot. You set a weight and then put your feet on it. When you get tired, it helps you out. It is not as good as the real thing, but for people that have trouble doing them without help they still work the muscles pretty good.

There are also new machines out there that will really isolate them. Not sure of the name, but basically each arm has it's own weight assigned to it, so it makes it harder to cheat.

I think machines are almost better for 90% of the people out there because they make it easier for newer people to have proper form. The machines that don't allow you to cheat by one arm being stronger than the other are the best.

02-20-2005, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nachtschleicher Tilted	Latissimus Dorsi Exercises Without Machine Hello. I need to work on my latissimus dorsi muscles (or lats, the muscles that give you that nice "V" shape). I've been using the lat pull machine, but I am looking to expand. I like using dumbbells (because I believe I isolate the muscle - i.e. one muscle isn't doing more work than the other because it's stronger), but will use barbells. Anyway, if you know of any exercises that'll help develop my lats, let me know! Thanks for your time! Have a good 'un!

02-20-2005, 11:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
SiNai Dreams In Digital Location: Iowa	Pullups (Wide grip)- not dumbell but best thing for lats out there Bent Over Rows Pullovers __________________ I can't seem to remember now What it was like- to live life, before you.. symbiont

02-21-2005, 02:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
mazagmot Crazy Location: S. Korea	Check it!(exrx.net) SiNai hit it pretty much on the head: rows and pullups/pulldowns. The site above lists a bunch of variations on the theme and will give directions and a short animated .gif showing form. I'm a fan of wid grip pullups, my self.

02-21-2005, 08:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
stevie667 Too Awesome for Aardvarks Location: Angloland	Pullups, wide grip pull ups and bent over dumbell rows.

03-01-2005, 09:45 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nachtschleicher Tilted	Thanks for the tips. I tried doing pull ups, but since I'm such a heavy guy (235 and 6' 3") I have a hard time doing more than 1 and 1/2 (I know, that's really wimpy). What can I do to start doing more pull ups?

03-02-2005, 07:27 AM	#7 (permalink)
BigBlueWrecking Psycho	Most gyms have pull up machines that allow a sort of spot. You set a weight and then put your feet on it. When you get tired, it helps you out. It is not as good as the real thing, but for people that have trouble doing them without help they still work the muscles pretty good. There are also new machines out there that will really isolate them. Not sure of the name, but basically each arm has it's own weight assigned to it, so it makes it harder to cheat. I think machines are almost better for 90% of the people out there because they make it easier for newer people to have proper form. The machines that don't allow you to cheat by one arm being stronger than the other are the best.