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Upper back muscles are extremely important for the right posture, yet many people completely forget about these muscles while working out, which is a big mistake. So why are these muscles so important, and how to train them? These are the questions we will attempt to answer in this article. What Is Upper Back? The muscles of the upper back consist of two main parts, which are the trapezius and latissimus muscles. Apart from that, many experts also involve the back bundles of deltas in the upper back muscle group since they are involved in most workouts for the upper back muscles. At the same time, referring to these muscles as a part of the upper back is incorrect from the anatomical point of view. The main function of the trapezius muscles is to provide the movement of the shoulder blades as well as make it possible to raise arms and lift objects. These muscles are also rather important for our posture as well as the ability to keep our back straight. At the same time, the latissimus muscles are located on both sides of the back. They resemble wings in shape and occupy almost the entire back area. These muscles are needed to pull the arms back as well as bring the shoulders to the body. Why Do I Need to Develop My Upper Back? So we have already figured out that the upper back muscles are responsible for the right posture as well as the ability to raise arms and lift objects, but who needs to work on their upper back? Well, a strong upper back is perhaps one of the main goals for everyone. In particular, among the people who need to work on their upper back are: Office workers who work all day at the desk Professional dancers and dance enthusiasts who need a strong back and perfect posture Athletes who actively involve the neck, shoulder, and back muscles while doing their sports activities Fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders who strive to grow muscles and harmoniously develop all muscle groups People who want to have a nice posture So do you belong to any of these groups? We bet you do. So make sure to add at least a few upper back exercises into your workout routine. Best Exercises for Upper Back To wrap up, we would like to provide you with some useful workouts for your upper back, so without any further ado, here they come: Reverse fly Bent over barbell row Barbell high rows Single-arm dead stop row T-pulls TRX row Upright row Single-arm landmine row Y-pulls Face pull Seated row Hang clean Renegade row These simple exercises will help you develop your upper back muscles quickly and stress-free, so make sure to give them a try. Wrapping Up Developed upper back muscles are essential for the right posture as well as for avoiding injuries while doing other sports activities. So no matter if you are a professional athlete or not, you still need to work on these muscles.

Trapezius muscles are often underestimated, and many people don’t pay much attention to them while working out. However, it is a huge mistake because these muscles are extremely important for the right posture as well as back health. So in this article, we’ll talk about trapezius muscles and how to develop them. Why Do I Need to Work on Trapezius Muscles? The trapezius is a part of the upper back which helps us to maintain the right posture. The muscle group consists of three different parts, which are top, medium, and bottom. Together with the muscles of the neck, the trapezius is responsible for the right posture. The upper part of this muscle is responsible for the rise of the shoulder as well as the ability to lift arms. The lower one - is for lowering shoulders and arms. At the same time, the middle one is needed for blade movement. As you can see, this muscle group is responsible for many basic functions, which is why developing the trapezius muscles is extremely important for everyone, especially for those people who have some problems with their posture. How Often Should I Do Trapezius Workouts? Ideally, you have to include at least 2-3 trapezius exercises in each workout session. At the same time, you have to work out 3 times a week. In some cases, it’s better to have 4 training sessions per week. In case you have some issues with your posture and you cannot keep your back straight because your spine muscles (especially trapezius) are weak, we recommend doing at least a few exercises for trapezius muscles every day. Who Needs Trapezius Exercises the Most? Of course, everybody needs to straighten their trapezius muscles, but, obviously, some people need it more than others. So who are those people? Well, here is a short list of those you must pay more attention to their trapezius muscles: Office workers who work long hours at the desk People who have posture problems and struggle to keep their back straight Athletes and fitness enthusiasts who lift heavy weights Boxers, volleyballers, basketballers, and other sportsmen who actively involve their arms in their sports activity Dancers and gymnasts who need strong and developed back muscles Do you belong to any of these groups? Then you better start working on your trapezius muscles now. Best Workouts for Trapezius Last but not least, we would like to recommend you some trapezius workouts, so here they come: Shrug Deadlift Shoulder blade squeeze Barbell row Upright row Reverse dumbbell flyes Chin-up Pull-up Push-up Lat-pulldown Rear delt cable raise High pulley cable row Overhead farmer's walk Y raise Rope rear delt pull Wrapping Up Trapezius muscles are super important for your back health, so no matter what your occupation is or how often you work out, you still need to find at least a few minutes for some exercises for the trapezius.

Lower back muscles easily get sore and injured as well as are rather challenging to train. At the same time, these muscles are essential for one’s back health. So what is the anatomy of lower back muscles, and how to develop them? This is exactly what we are going to talk about in this article. Lower Back Muscles: Anatomy & Functions The lower back muscle group consists of several muscles, which are multifidus muscles, erector spinae, spinalis, and latissimus dorsi. These muscles are essential for posture, moving, and even involved in the walking process. In fact, lower back muscles are super important for normal functioning, and those people who have suffered any lower back injuries know it. In addition to that, these muscles are actively involved in the special moves in certain sports like gymnastics as well as in various dance styles. So even though these muscles seem to be small and unimportant, yet they actually have lots of functions. Why Is It Important to Develop Your Lower Back Muscles? Many people believe that, in terms of the spine, you only need to work on the trapezius and upper back since these muscles are essential for the right posture. Certainly, it’s not exactly true. In fact, you have to work on your entire spine to harmoniously develop all the muscles of your back. Plus, the lower back easily gets injured, especially if you lift something heavy, but if you have strong and developed lower back muscles, you can reduce the risks of having such an injury. So no matter if you are an office worker or a professional athlete or dancer, you need to work on your lower back muscles. Workouts for the Lower Back Muscles So how can you make your lower back muscles stronger and therefore lower your chances of getting a nasty injury? Well, here are some exercises you might want to try: Rack pull Harvesting apples Bent over row Side stretching Barbell good morning Belly roll Back extension Side plank Superman Glute hamstring raise These simple exercises will no doubt help you make your lower back stronger and healthier, so do not hesitate and give them a try. Final Thoughts Developed lower back muscles are not only needed for professional athletes or dancers but also for those people who want to maintain their back health. So make sure to include at least a few lower back workouts into your exercise routine. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

People often underestimate hamstrings. Often, focusing on training the quadriceps and calves, hamstrings seem less important. However, you should remember that neglecting any muscle has aesthetic and medical consequences that can be avoided if you work it properly. The reason you shouldn't ignore these muscles is not just about the symmetry and appearance of your body. Hamstring weakness is one of the most common causes of injury in most professional athletes. The best way to strengthen your leg muscles is to work them out properly. So let's have a look at the exercises. Barbell 90 The main advantage of this exercise is that you don't need much equipment, just a simple barbell. Starting in a standing position and holding the barbell on your shoulders, keep your back straight. While bending your knees slightly, tense your hips, and bend forward 90 degrees. Then return to the starting position inhaling. Except for hamstrings, this exercise will also strengthen your hips and back. Hyperextensions Hyperextensions are a great workout for your hamstrings as well as the lower back and glute muscles. Sit on the hyperextension training machine comfortably with your heels pressed against the platform at the bottom of the trainer. Place your arms crossed in front of your chest or behind your head. Slowly lower yourself down until you inhale and feel the stretch in your lower back and leg muscles. Without stopping at the bottom point, straighten up to the starting position and exhale. Return to the beginning position then. Maintain your head in line with your torso, keeping your back straight throughout the exercise. Tights Up This exercise can be done on the playground with two pull-ups or simply by placing your feet on a chair or bench. We will present a variation of the home exercise.Choose a sitting position on the floor with your feet on a chair. Lift your torso with your hands so that the tights are in the air. Bending your knees, raise the tights so that your body is paralleled to the floor. Perform 7-8 repetitions. Single-Leg and Dumbbell The exercise requires a good sense of balance and gives you good results. With a dumbbell in your hand, bring one leg back and keep it on the floor until the end of the exercise. Then return to the previous position. Repeat this exercise several times before you have tired. Final Words Hamstrings may look insignificant, but that has nothing to do with the fact that you can skip working these muscles. As a matter of fact, stronger hamstrings prevent you from many injuries. Therefore, don't delay and start exercising these muscles now.

In the initial stages of training, while people focus on working the chest, arms, and back, the calf muscles are often neglected. As a result, exercises to strengthen the calves are delayed or rarely performed, resulting in a lack of progress. The calf muscles, like the deeper muscles of the back, get little rest during the day because they must support the weight of the body, help maintain balance, and stabilize the joints when walking. This means it is at a lower level of development and the approach to working with it should be different. Thus, we decided to share some exercises for strengthening your calves. Let’s check them out. Calf 45 Of all the exercises intended to develop the calf muscles, this exercise is one of the most challenging. It involves changing the angle of the legs, which involves not only the calves but also the soleus muscles. To perform this exercise, you will need the Gackenschmidt's Machine. Depending on the design, you will stand in front of it or not. Set an appropriate working weight. This is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the working weights from the previous two exercises. Then adjust the weights according to the load. Then lower the heel and stretch the calf as much as possible. Lift with the toes. Hold under extreme tension for 1-2 seconds. Dumbbell Calf Raises This exercise is designed for all levels of athletes and is considered a basic exercise to build calf muscles. Start with standing on a wooden block. You can do this in Smith by placing a step platform under your feet and placing a barbell on your shoulders. Hold your body in a straight position. If you need extra weight, you should take dumbbells or kettlebells. Next, lower your heels under the bar and stretch your ankles as much as possible. Stand up on your toes in a powerful impulsive movement. Hold this position for 1-2 seconds and pull your calves up. Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position. Squat Calf Raises This exercise is great for lazy workouts and will be a great option for beginners. Sit on the seat of the training machine. Place your toes on the support step. Bringing your heels down to the floor as far as possible, lower the lever with the soft stop to your knee and lock it. Leg Press Lie down on a leg press machine. Find a platform where your legs are straight. Fix the speed. You only need to do two movements. Removing the platform from your foot, squeeze it with your toes. Return your toes to their original position. It is important to know that posture has a much greater impact on the development of the shin and calf muscles than movement. Flat feet, if not taken into account and compensated for, can also prevent the shaping of the calves. To improve the calves without exercising, the selection of the proper footwear and a corrected gait is necessary. Well-trained calves will help you perform certain exercises better as well as make your legs look great. So take another look at these exercises and be sure to try them next time.