Engage and Strengthen Your Latissimus Dorsi (Lats)

What is the widest muscle in the human body? What is the largest muscle in the upper body?

If you said the latissimus dorsi (lats) you would be correct.

This muscle attaches to the thoracic and lumbar spine, the pelvic bone, the lower ribs, the shoulder blade, and the humerus. So, you can see why it is the largest muscle in the upper body. You can also infer with such vast attachments, the latissimus dorsi is an important muscle. The latissimus dorsi extends the arm, brings the arm closer to the body, internally rotates the arm, draws the shoulder blade downward, bends the trunk laterally and backward, lifts the pelvis upward, important for posture, and assists with deep breathing. Basically, it is a global mobilizer and it is important to keep this muscle strong and healthy.

(Video Demonstration)

• Single arm lat pulldown

• Overhead band pull apart

• Ball-over-head

• Pullups