Many programs fail to optimize their programming for the back muscles. One big problem already lies in thinking about ‘the back’ as if it’s a single muscle. People do isolation exercises for tiny muscles like the biceps, but what about the lats? Another common pitfall is not programming exercises that stimulate stretch-mediated hypertrophy. Rows, horizontal pulls and deadlifts don’t train the lats through nearly their full range of motion (ROM). Vertical pulling is better, but at the very top there’s still no tension on the lats, as the lats are no longer working against the vertical angle of the resistance. … Continue reading Lat prayers: The perfect exercise for the lats