By: Rudy Sleiman

The upper back, specifically the Latissimus Dorsi muscle, is a very important muscle due to its size, location, and actions. Bodybuilders give compliments to each other by saying "you've got the V-shape".

The upper back is the antagonist of the chest. If your goal is to build massive pectorals, it has to be done in conjunction with the back. It's crucial to train both muscle groups for achieving a good posture and proportion in the upper body.

It's important to learn how the Latissimus Dorsi works in the most efficient way without causing injuries to the muscle and to the surrounding joints, by recognizing its proper actions.

Click Image To Enlarge.
The Upper Back Is A Very Important Muscle
Due To Its Size, Location, And Actions.

The Latissimus Dorsi actions include moving the humerus (bone of the arm) in adduction to the sides of the body, pulling the humerus in extension from a horizontal position straight out in front of the body and internal rotation of the glenohumeral joint.

How To Determine Your 1 RM

Warm up on the bench press using a light weight for 15 slow and controlled repetitions. Then increase the weight by 10% and perform 10 repetitions. Then try to figure out how much weight you can successfully lift for 10 repetitions.

Load the bar and count the actual repetitions completed. If you predicted to do 80 kg for 10 repetitions and in reality only completed 6, then you would check the following table for percentage that relates to six repetitions.

In the following table, 6 repetitions associate to 85%. Divide the weight lifted (80 kg) by 85% to arrive at the estimated 1 RM. (1 RM = 80/0.85 = 94 kg).

Repetitions	Percent Of Maximum
1	100%
2	95%
3	92.5%
4	90%
5	87.5%
6	85%
7	82.5%
8	80%
9	77.5%
10	75%

The Workout Program

In order to achieve maximum results, you must obey to the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) principle. This training law states that there must be a period of low intensity training or complete rest following periods of high intensity.

The reason for this is that the high stress you have applied to the muscles and joints during the training caused trauma.

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A recovery period is required for the muscles to heal and gain strength and mass. If you keep training at high intensity all the time, you may get injured and you will lose muscles instead of gaining lean tissue.

The following program is scientifically designed to achieve your goals of muscle gains while obeying to the GAS principle by cycling the training periods into high, medium and light intensities.

Results may vary between one person and another depending on how their body responds to the imposed stress levels. Some bodybuilders may gain lean tissue in less time than others.

Program 1: Low Intensity

Exercise	Weights	Reps	Rest Between Sets
Deadlift	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	45 seconds
Bent Over Barbell Rows	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	45 seconds
Lat Pulldown	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	45 seconds
One-Arm Dumbbell Rows	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	45 seconds
Seated Cable Rows	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	45 seconds
Rear Delt Raises	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	45 seconds

Program 2: High Intensity

Exercise	Weights	Reps	Rest Between Sets
Deadlift	75% of 1RM	1 set of 10 reps	60-90 seconds
Deadlift	85% of 1RM	1 set of 6 reps	60-90 seconds
Deadlift	90% of 1RM	2 sets of 4 reps	60-90 seconds
Deadlift	80% of 1RM	1 set of 10 reps	60-90 seconds
Bent Over Barbell Rows	80% of 1RM	2 sets of 8 reps	60-90 seconds
T-Bar Rows	80% of 1RM	2 sets of 8 reps	60-90 seconds
One-Arm Dumbbell Rows	80% of 1RM	2 sets of 8 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldown	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 12 reps	60-90 seconds
Seated Cable Rows	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 12 reps	60-90 seconds

Program 3: Medium Intensity

Exercise	Weights	Reps	Rest Between Sets
Superset:
Lat Pulldown	75% of 1RM	3 sets of 8 reps	60-90 seconds
Rear Delt Raises	60% of 1RM	3 sets of 12-15 reps	60-90 seconds
Superset:
Close-Grip Pulldowns	75% of 1RM	3 sets of 8 reps	60-90 seconds
Barbell Pullovers	60% of 1RM	3 sets of 12-15 reps	60-90 seconds
One-Arm Dumbbell Rows	75% of 1RM	3 sets of 8 reps	60-90 seconds

Program 4: Medium/High Intensity

Exercise	Weights	Reps	Rest Between Sets
Lat Pulldowns	70% of 1RM	1 set of 10 reps	60-90 seconds
Pullups		1 set to failure	60-90 seconds
Rear Delt Raises	65% of 1RM	1 set of 12-15 reps	60-90 seconds
Pullups		1 set to failure	60-90 seconds
Rear Delt Raises	65% of 1RM	1 set of 12-15 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldowns	85% of 1RM	1 set of 5 reps	60-90 seconds
Drop Set:
Lat Pulldowns	85% of 1RM	1 set of 4 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldowns	80% of 1RM	1 set of 4 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldowns	75% of 1RM	1 set of 4 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldowns	70% of 1RM	1 set of 10-15 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldowns	70% of 1RM	1 set of 10-15 reps	60-90 seconds
Lat Pulldowns	75% of 1RM	1 set of 10-15 reps	60-90 seconds
Seated Cable Rows	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	60-90 seconds
One-Arm Dumbbell Rows	70% of 1RM	2 sets of 10 reps	60-90 seconds

Program Schedules:

Week 1:
• Monday: Program 1
• Thursday: Program 1

Week 2:

• Tuesday: Program 2

Week 3:

• Monday: Program 3
• Friday: Program 4

Notes:

• Execute 5-10 minutes warm-up before every training session.
• Stretch the back muscles after each training session.
• Wear a belt when using heavy weight in the deadlift.
• Train the antagonist muscle group (Chest: Pectoralis Major), to maintain good muscle proportion and proper posture.

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The Proper Way To Perform The Deadlift

Bend over and hold the barbell 10 cm wider than shoulder width, palms facing your body (or you can place your hands with the palms opposite to each other). Keep your head up, your sight straight forward, your chest lifted, your shoulders retracted, maintain your back flat but not hyperextended, and keep attention to the alignment of your head, neck, scapula, pelvis, and hips.

DEADLIFT EXERCISE GUIDE

Click Image To Enlarge. Barbell Deadlift

Balance the weight of your body on both feet while feeling the engagement of your gluteus and thighs. Pull the weight up until you reach a standing position. Don't hyperextend at the end of the movement. Never hold your breath. Exhale on the upward phase and inhale on the downward phase of the movement.

Related Deadlift Articles:

• The Deadlift: King Of Exercises! - By Randy Herring
• Adjust Technique & Deadlift With Style! - By Thomas Phillips
• Deadlifts: The King Of Mass-Builders? - By David Robson
• Other Deadlift Articles...

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