Back Muscles
~ Keep It Strong & Flexible ~

Your back muscles are used for just about every activity you do on a daily basis. Having a tight back is the #1 reason for chronic back pain that a lot of people suffer from. Get to know your backs muscle anatomy and work the right muscles in the back to make it stronger and less prone to injury.

The back is one of the biggest major muscle groups of your body. If you're looking to develop that "V" shape in your back then you need to work your lats. Developing your lats will also make your waist appear smaller.

We don't realize how much strain we put on our backs everyday through what we lift to the way we stand. If you strengthen your back muscles, then you'll naturally stand tall and not strain your back by slouching.

The muscles in the back are made up of a lot of well organized set of muscles and the two main muscles are:

• Trapezius Muscle (Traps) - This muscle runs from the neck down the middle of the back in a diamond shape, reaching out by the back of the shoulders.
  
  Named for it's shape, its functions are to move the shoulder blades and to support the arm. The traps assist your arms in carrying things. You can easily overwork this muscle, so keep it strong to avoid unnecessary pain and strain.
  
  This muscle also helps to tilt your head from side to side, so it basically helps support your neck and your neck supports your head! It's all connected one way or another.
  
  
  Don't forget to stretch too, you don't want tight back muscles that can also lead to pain and injury.




• Latissimus dorsi muscle (Lats) - The lats is the largest muscle of the back. It's the fan shaped muscle that runs down the upper section of the spinal cord, starting at the base of the skull and runs all the way down to the lower back.
  
  This is the muscle you want to define to get that "V" shaped back. Keeping this area tight and toned will also help to make your waist appear slimmer.
  
  The lats main job is to pull your arm down and towards your pelvis area. This muscle also helps to keep your torso stable during many different movements.

• Muscle Anatomy Overview - Know Your Muscles
• There are Many Benefits of Stretching Exercises.
• Back Stretches - Upper and Lower
• Back Exercises to Sculpt and Define a Sexy Back