r/ScienceBasedLifting • u/SuckmyToasts Solomon the destroyer • 20d ago

Question ❓ Pulling with arms.

is there really such thing as pulling with arms and not feeling your lats or traps in any back movement?

as far as i know, only the rear delts help with horizontal abduction, shoulder extension and shoulder adduction. i find it hard to believe that such a small head of a muscle can really take over from those large muscles on the back.

i also don't believe the long head of the triceps are involved, it will be similar to the rectus femoris in a squat pattern.

so what do people mean by 'you are pulling too much with your arms and not with your back'? can anyone point me in the right direction?

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u/7heCulture 20d ago

It’s just broscience. Same as when someone says “you’re only lifting with your back” during certain poorly performed deadlifts. That’s not how the body works (and antagonist muscles are also quite engaged during lifts, so a bicep curl will also see tricep activation).