Today we're looking at two stretches for the latissimus dorsi (or the lats).
A lot of our clients who come in are desk-based, who spend up to 8 hours (or more) a day seated at the computer.
If they don't have the strength to sustain that posture, other muscles start to kick in to provide more stability and support - one of which is the lats.
The problem with this is, that the lats are designed for large, powerful movements - opposed to a sustained tension.
If they start to brace to provide stability for the lumbar and mid-back, they fatigue and tighten extremely quickly.
This can add either back pain, shoulder compression, rolled shoulders and even neck pain. Before we can strengthen the lower and mid-back, we need to make sure that any tension within the lats is released.
This week, I will take you through two exercises in order to help relieve any tension caused by the lats kicking in when they shouldn't!