The upper back is the most overlooked and neglected body part trained in the general population. In order to reduce muscular imbalances (and risk for injuries), your upper back should not be ignored.
Your upper back consists of three main muscle groups. The traps (trapezius), the rhomboids and the lats (latissimus dorsi). The focus for today is on the rhomboids.
The rhomboid muscles are located between your shoulder blades. They are responsible for initiating numerous shoulder blade movements including retraction and downward rotation of the scapulae. You use your rhomboid muscles in rock climbing, tennis, basketball and rowing a boat. The rhomboid muscle groups also play an important role in maintaining good posture. Having good posture is very important for all of us, athletes and non-athletes alike.
Some exercises to strengthen your rhomboid muscles include pulls ups, seated rows, one arm rows and close grip pull downs. You even hit the rhomboids with the YTWLI routine from yesterday’s blog.
Finding balance between work, family, training and fun is difficult enough….don’t find yourself muscularly off balance!
Happy Hump Day everyone!
Christy
