Meatballs Call Them Wings, Lifters Know They’re Trouble| Ep. 21

Having huge lats has it advantages. You can become a movie star (even when you can hardly talk), can marry a Kennedy (even when you can hardly talk), and become governor (even when you can hardly talk).  But in the crossfit/overhead lifting world huge over dominant lats can get you in trouble. When it comes to overhead problems the latissimus dorsi is the subscaps evil twin brother. We call it the handcuff muscle because its actions bring your hand behind your lower back (shoulder adduction, medial rotation, extension).  When this muscle becomes shortened it directly limits your ability to get overhead.

Know Your Anatomy:

Pictured above: Latissimus Dorsi highlighted, Latissimus Dorsi (white).

Today’s Prescription:

1. Test Overhead

2. Perform Foam Roller Pin and Stretch on Lat (2-5mins)

3. Perform Band Contract Relax on Lat (2-5mins/about 30 reps)

4. Retest Overhead

**If you’re having overhead trouble and missed yesterdays post on the subscapularis make sure to back track because both movements are important to improving your overhead shoulder health!