Lat width?

freefaller21 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2002, 12:03 AM

Trying to build up my lats width a little more in proportion to my chest any suggetions/routines? Thanks bros

Pusher · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2002, 02:24 AM

Medium grip chins. Grip should be about a hand space wider than your shoulders.

Close grip pullups. Grip should be about a hand space narrower than your shoulders.

Use straps, when you can hit a set of 15 reps, hang a db from your waist until you can only hit 10 reps. Did I mention use straps? When you walk down the street or step onstage, people notice your back width, not your grip strength.

There is not O N E exercise that will improve your lats that beats chins or pullups.

When you go through the movement, focus on pulling your elbows down to your waist, not on pulling your face toward the bar.

Ozzy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2002, 09:16 AM

I have to slightly disagree here. IMO you should be developing your natural grip strength. Using chalk will vastly help by preventing any movement on the bar. Work your wrists with something like a captain of crush grip.

As for lat width, i have had excellent results from Bent over barbell rows. Done with correct form they really pump the lats IMO.

Close grip chins work more on the Teres Majors and bi's than the lats i think. Personal preference i guess, wide grips chins i concure with though.

freefaller21 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2002, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the good advice guys, I'll give it a try.

Pusher · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2002, 06:36 PM

The strength of your lats outweighs the strength of your grip many, many times. Why should your your lat workout suffer b/c you want to train forearms at the same time? If you want a strong grip, train forearms! In the bent row (or any rowing movement), the traps and rhomboids are the prime movers, with the lats assisting.

rugger · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2002, 09:11 PM

IMO, (medium)-wide grip chins do it best-if you want to pick 1. 4 sets to failure (weighted or otherwise) at the beginning of every back workout.

As far as grip/straps/chalk, I used to used straps ALL the time with rowing movements, now I try to use chalk and no straps, but eventually the forearms will certainly call it quits before the back will.

rugger

Daveb19 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-24-2002, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pusher
The strength of your lats outweighs the strength of your grip many, many times. Why should your your lat workout suffer b/c you want to train forearms at the same time? If you want a strong grip, train forearms! In the bent row (or any rowing movement), the traps and rhomboids are the prime movers, with the lats assisting.

Yeah I have the worst ever, I even use straps when i do db curls anything above the 50's. But im not a powerlifter and grip strength means shit in the sport of body building so I agree...

Ozzy · #8 (**permalink**) 07-24-2002, 08:58 AM

I do agree that you should not let your work outs suffer from grip, i have always worked my forearms hard and have therefore developed good natural strenght in my grip. I never have problems holding a weight for back or bi's.

But every one is different i guess.

Traps and rhomboids are heavily utilised in the rows, but i find that with an overhand grip and strict form with slow reps the lats are brought into play alot and i have developed some decent width across my back.

Again, each to their own i guess.

MonStar · #9 (**permalink**) 07-27-2002, 09:03 AM

Do a vertical and horizontal rowing movement once a week, and gradually add weight.