A few newsletters ago I mentioned the middle traps’ line of pull as it relates to fiber direction…
Most of the mid-back fibers run upward at a steep angle. I won’t show the cadaver photo again; I’ll use an intricate graphic instead: \\ //
Those fibers’ angle of pull suggests that to get optimal stretch, your arms should angle up from your torso on the ideal exercise, scapulae retractions, not straight forward.
And if you want full stretch, your hands should be close together, slightly in front of your torso and overhead—like this short move Jonathan is demonstrating that we’ll call overhead scapulae retractions…
It’s a two-for-one add-on move, as you also get excellent lat stretch (but there’s a better one for that I’ll have in the next training newsletter).
Notice in the photos that Jonathan does not relax his shoulders at the bottom of each rep. You want to keep some tension to prevent shoulder-joint and rotator-cuff damage, and also keep your torso at an angle, not completely vertical.
Make it a short move from near full arm extension to about one-third of the way up—and your midback mass will erupt.
Your Efficient Mass-Building Handbook: For more mass-building tips like the above plus complete workouts that include the ideal exercise for each muscle and the best stretch and contracted add-on moves, get your copy of Old Man, Young Muscle.
And you still get The Muscle-On, Belly-Gone “Diet” ebook FREE for a limited time when you add Old Man, Young Muscle to your mass-building library. Go HERE.
Till next time, train hard—and smart—for BIG results.
—Steve Holman and Jonathan Lawson
www.X-Rep.com
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Testosterone prescriptions do more HARM than good
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Sadly, millions of men also turn to Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) to try to overcome these problems and try to feel like a new man again…BUT there are some VERY concerning problems with TRT that every man NEEDS to know.
After reading the article below, you might want to consider alternate routes of boosting your T levels naturally instead of through something that’s potentially as harmful as TRT…
–> Why Testosterone Replacement Therapy can do more HARM than good