Tag: Overhead Reach

Serratus Posterior Inferior

spi -- 2016
Serratus Posterior Inferior

Pictured above is the serratus posterior inferior (SPI). It is an important muscle to address because it tends to be tight and limit your ability to draw in a deep breath.

It is commonly overstretched and lacking proper mobility in persons with poor posture due to excessive rounding of the middle and lower back. 80% of all adults over 18 years of age have some form of back pain. If you aren't checking the SPI for excessive stiffness you are missing one of the most significant links to proper back function.

The muscles on the left are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Individual hip, lower back & thigh muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

The following muscle attaches across the middle & lower back to the bottom four ribs and the last two thoracic vertebrae and the top two lumbar vertebrae:

  1. Serratus Posterior Inferior

The following muscles attach across the hip & lower back, or to the hip from above (the spine and/or ribs) or below (the thigh).
Click the appropriate link for your interest.

Click here to see the hip flexors as a muscle group.

Click here to see the adductors as a group.

Muscle that crosses the hip/lower back joint and crosses the hip/thigh joint. (attaches to the spine and the femur)

  1. Psoas


Muscles that attach to the hip and the spine and/or ribs

  1. Rectus Abdominus
  2. External Abdominal Oblique
  3. Internal Abdominal Oblique
  4. Transverse Abdominus
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Iliocostalis Lumborum
  7. Longissimus Thoracis
  8. Quadratus Lumborum
  9. Multifidi


Muscles that attach to the hip and the thigh bone (femur)

  1. Iliacus
  2. Adductor Magnus
  3. Adductor Longus
  4. Adductor Brevis
  5. Pectineus
  6. Gluteus Maximus
  7. Gluteus Medius
  8. Gluteus Minimus
  9. Piriformis
  10. Superior Gemellus
  11. Obturator Internus
  12. Inferior Gemellus
  13. Obturator Externus
  14. Quadratus Femoris

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

T-Spine Roll

tspine-roll-1a--gallery
11th Secondary -- T-Spine Roll
Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Lats Roll.

This SMR exercise is to address the multiple layers of knots & adhesions in your upper and mid-back.

If you have tightness or discomfort in your shoulders, deep dull aches in your upper or mid back, or general shoulder & neck issues, then this exercise is likely to help.
For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the T-Spine Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)
Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

The Shoulder

shoulder muscles -- 2016 -- 40 percent quality
The Shoulder Muscles


Pictured above are all the muscles that attach to the shoulder blade or cross the shoulder joint (there are a BUNCH of them). The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click here to see the deltoid muscles as a group.

Click your area of interest below. (any inactive links will be active soon)

Muscles that attach to the head or neck & the shoulder blade (scapula).

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae


Muscles that cross the shoulder joint (attach somewhere in the torso and to the upper arm).

  1. Pectoralis Major
  2. Latissimus Dorsi


Muscles that attach to the shoulder blade (scapula) & the spine or ribs.

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae
  3. Rhomboid Minor
  4. Rhomboid Major
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Pectoralis Minor
  7. Serratus Anterior


Muscles that attach to the scapula & the arm

  1. Deltoids
  2. Supraspinatus
  3. Infraspinatus
  4. Teres Minor
  5. Subscapularis
  6. Teres Major
  7. Triceps (long head)
  8. Biceps Brachii
  9. Coracobrachialis
  10. Latissimus Dorsi



Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Triceps

triceps -- 2016

Pictured above is the triceps muscle. It straightens your elbow and pulls your arm toward your side. The long head of your triceps attaches to both your elbow and your shoulder blade, and can keep you from easily being able to raise your arm overhead when it gets too tight. Issues like tennis elbow respond well when you reduce excess tension in the triceps.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

The following muscles attach across the elbow joint, to the upper arm (humerus) & the arm (radius or ulna), or to the arm & the wrist/hand (one or more of the numerous bones in the wrist & hand). Click the appropriate link for your interest. (any inactive links will be live soon)

Muscles that cross the elbow joint (attach to the scapula or upper arm and radius or ulna)

  1. Biceps Brachii
  2. Brachialis
  3. Triceps
  4. Brachioradialis

Extensor muscles on the back of the arm that attach below the elbow joint (attach to the radius or ulna) and to bones in either the wrist or hand

  1. Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus
  2. Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis
  3. Extensor Digitorum
  4. Extensor Digit Minimi
  5. Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
  6. Extensor Pollicis Brevis
  7. Extensor Pollicis Longus
  8. Anconeus
  9. Abductor Pollicis Longus
  10. Extensor Indicis
  11. Supinator

Flexor muscles on the front of the arm that attach below the elbow joint (attach to the radius or ulna) and to bones in either the wrist or hand

  1. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis
  2. Flexor Carpi Radialis
  3. Flexor Carpi Ulnaris
  4. Palmaris Longus
  5. Flexor Pollicis Longus
  6. Pronator Teres
  7. Pronator Quadratus

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Subscapularis

subscap -- 2016

Pictured above is the subscapularis. It is one of the rotator cuff muscles, and it rotates your arm toward your chest.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Click here to see the rotator cuff muscles as a group.

Individual shoulder, upper back & neck muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Muscles that cross the shoulder joint (attach somewhere in the torso and to the upper arm)

  1. Pectoralis Major
  2. Latissimus Dorsi

Muscles that attach to the shoulder blade (scapula) & the spine or ribs

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae
  3. Rhomboid Minor
  4. Rhomboid Major
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Pectoralis Minor
  7. Serratus Anterior

Muscles that attach to the scapula & the arm

  1. Deltoids
  2. Supraspinatus
  3. Infraspinatus
  4. Teres Minor
  5. Subscapularis
  6. Teres Major
  7. Triceps (long head)
  8. Biceps Brachii
  9. Coracobrachialis
  10. Latissimus Dorsi

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Pectoralis Minor

pec minor -- 2016

Pictured above is the pectoralis minor. It is a stabilizing muscle for the shoulder blade (scapula) and it pulls the top front of the scapula down toward the front center of the chest. It is hugely impactful on proper shoulder posture and range of motion. If you are dealing with shoulder or neck issues, you MUST address this muscle on a regular basis. (click here for a list of all the muscles)

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Individual upper back & neck muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Muscles that cross the shoulder joint (attach somewhere in the torso and to the upper arm)

  1. Pectoralis Major
  2. Latissimus Dorsi

Muscles that attach to the shoulder blade (scapula) & the spine or ribs

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae
  3. Rhomboid Minor
  4. Rhomboid Major
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Pectoralis Minor
  7. Serratus Anterior

Muscles that attach to the scapula & the arm

  1. Deltoids
  2. Supraspinatus
  3. Infraspinatus
  4. Teres Minor
  5. Subscapularis
  6. Teres Major
  7. Triceps (long head)
  8. Biceps Brachii
  9. Coracobrachialis
  10. Latissimus Dorsi

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Latissimus Dorsi

lats -- 2016
Latissimus Dorsi

Pictured above is the latissimus dorsi. It is the largest muscle in the back of your body (attached to your hips, spine, ribs, shoulder blade, and upper arm), and it pulls the arm down to your side and towards the back of the body.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Individual upper back & neck muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Muscles that cross the shoulder joint (attach somewhere in the torso and to the upper arm)

  1. Pectoralis Major & Minor
  2. Latissimus Dorsi

Muscles that attach to the shoulder blade (scapula) & the spine or ribs

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae
  3. Rhomboid Minor
  4. Rhomboid Major
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Pectoralis Minor
  7. Serratus Anterior

Muscles that attach to the scapula & the arm

  1. Deltoids
  2. Supraspinatus
  3. Infraspinatus
  4. Teres Minor
  5. Subscapularis
  6. Teres Major
  7. Triceps (long head)
  8. Biceps Brachii
  9. Coracobrachialis
  10. Latissimus Dorsi

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!

Pectoralis Major & Minor

pecs -- 2016
Pectoralis Major

Pictured above is the pectoralis major. It is a powerful muscle on the front of the chest and it pulls the arm towards the front of the body. Click Here for SMR technique instructions.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by the others. All of the muscles are see-through so that you can appreciate the location and size of each muscle relative to the others.

Click here for a list of all the muscles.

Individual upper back & neck muscles you might be interested in: (any inactive links will be live soon)

Muscles that cross the shoulder joint (attach somewhere in the torso and to the upper arm)

  1. Pectoralis Major & Minor
  2. Latissimus Dorsi

Muscles that attach to the shoulder blade (scapula) & the spine or ribs

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae
  3. Rhomboid Minor
  4. Rhomboid Major
  5. Latissimus Dorsi
  6. Pectoralis Minor
  7. Serratus Anterior

Muscles that attach to the scapula & the arm

  1. Deltoids
  2. Supraspinatus
  3. Infraspinatus
  4. Teres Minor
  5. Subscapularis
  6. Teres Major
  7. Triceps (long head)
  8. Biceps Brachii
  9. Coracobrachialis
  10. Latissimus Dorsi

Good luck working out those tight knots.

If you have any questions, please post a comment. We try to respond within 24 hours.

We're here to help you get more out of your training!