Lats

The Voice of Reason said:

My lats are practically non-existant. As a result, I still can't do a
single chin-up even after months and months of trying. Rows don't seem
to work them at all. How do I make my lats grow?

What's your current routine? What are exercises are you using for the lats?

---
Ed
http://everythingec.com/startingpoint

"The Voice of Reason" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

My lats are practically non-existant. As a result, I still can't do a
single chin-up even after months and months of trying. Rows don't seem
to work them at all. How do I make my lats grow?

I couldn't do any pullups when I started lifting and I didn't try after
that. I did, however, deadlift for a couple of years, and when I tried
chinups again, I had no trouble cranking out a dozen of them. I find
that I don't need to train chinups and pullups to be pretty good at them
because deadlifts and one-armed overhead presses both involve my lats a
great deal. And anybody who tells you deadlifting won't make your lats
stronger isn't deadlifting very much weight.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that I'm light, either. 🙂

-S-
http://www.kbnj.com

The Voice of Reason said:

My lats are practically non-existant. As a result, I still can't do a
single chin-up even after months and months of trying. Rows don't seem
to work them at all. How do I make my lats grow?

Rows are working them some.

Any exercise that brings your elbow from the hemisphere in
front of your body to a lower and more rearward position
than at the start will hit your lats.

Wide-arm pulldowns and high rows are the most effective.

--Blair
"Don't forget to eat."

The Voice of Reason said:

My lats are practically non-existant. As a result, I still can't do a
single chin-up even after months and months of trying. Rows don't seem
to work them at all. How do I make my lats grow?

Sounds like you need to learn to use your lats more and biceps less.
Concentrate on pulling the elbows down (or back for rows) so the
back does the majority of the work. And just do more upper back work.

For now do an upper back workout like this:
-Wide grip lat pull downs, 3-5 sets of 6-10 reps (after warm-ups sets)
-Dumbbell bent over rows, 1 arm, 3-5 sets of 6-10 reps
-Close grip lat pulldowns, 2-5 sets of 6-10 reps

Exercise demos:
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/ExList/BackWt.html#anchor1913634

Later on switch to assisted pull-ups instead of 1st lat pull down exercise.
And look into pull-up negatives and greasing the groove. Both have been
discussed here many times.
http://groups-beta.google.com/group/misc.fitness.weights

The Voice of Reason said:

My lats are practically non-existant. As a result, I still can't do a
single chin-up even after months and months of trying. Rows don't seem
to work them at all. How do I make my lats grow?

I second the need for deads. Also, the quick route to doing your first
pullup is starting the movement with negatives.