EXERCISE FOR STRONGER BACK

Row Your Way to a Stronger Back
JORGE’S DAILY FIT TIP
By Jorge Cruise, Chief Diet and Fitness Expert
Published October 05, 2010
www.lifescript.com

Do you admire the curvy muscles that wrap around a rower’s lower back? That triangular muscle is called the latissimus dorsi, and it helps to pull your arms down and to your sides.

To work your "lats," try this bent-over row, which is a favorite exercise of body-builders. Don’t worry: This moderate-strength rowing exercise won’t give you super-sized muscles; it'll strengthen and highlight your lower back.

Grab your dumbbells and get ready to row your boat!

Step 1: Grasp a pair of dumbbells and drop your arms toward the floor, with palms facing back. Stand with your feet hip-width apart. Bend at the waist, and raise your head and chest to create a small arch in the back. Bend your knees slightly.

Step 2: Breathe slowly and rhythmically as you pull the dumbbells up in a fluid rowing motion through a count of 10 seconds, keeping your elbows close to your body.

Step 3: Once the dumbbells are within 2 inches from your ribs, hold and squeeze your shoulder blades together for 2 seconds.

Step 4: Lower your arms back to the starting point through a count of 10.

Step 5: Repeat three times without resting.

Your coach,
Jorge Cruise

MY THOUGHTS

it's quite easy to do. well, depends on the weight of your dumbbells, of course. go light if you're just starting.