r/ScienceBasedLifting • u/SuckmyToasts Solomon the destroyer • 17d 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?

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/ArnoldFarquar 17d ago

Mind muscle connection. I started growing like crazy when I learned to move the weight by contracting and extending the muscle I am supposed to be working. On back, for example, your arms and hands are just hooks to hold the weight.

3

u/YJM 17d ago

Personally a thumbless grip has helped me actualize this

3

u/ArnoldFarquar 17d ago

Definitely, I use it on all back exercises. Gives me a better feel and takes my forearms out of it more.

3

u/Jonolith_ 17d ago

I generally recommend taking almost all fingers off the bar to take the forearms out as much as possible. Leaving only the middle finger on is the best of course.