Tag: Posture Issues

Rhomboid Major

rhomboids -- 2016
Rhomboid Major

Pictured above is the rhomboid major. It is a stabilizing muscle for the shoulder blade (scapula) and it pulls the scapula toward the spine.

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
  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!

Rhomboid Minor

rhomboids -- 2016
Rhomboid Minor

Pictured above is the rhomboid minor. It is a stabilizing muscle for the shoulder blade (scapula) and it pulls the scapula toward the spine.

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
  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!

Levator Scapulae

levator -- 2016
Levator Scapulae

Pictured above is the levator scapulae. The levator scapulae is a very influential muscle on proper neck posture. Click Here for SMR technique instructions.

Click Here for a list of all the muscles.

The muscles are layered, showing how some of the muscles are covered by 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 attach to the head (mastoid or other skull bone) and the neck (cervical vertebrae) and/or head & torso (thoracic vertebrae and/or ribs)

  1. Sternocleidomastoid
  2. Trapezius
  3. Splenius Capitus
  4. Longissimus Capitus
  5. Semispinalis Capitus

Muscles that attach to the neck (cervical vertebrae) and another area of the spine (cervical or thoracic vertebrae) and/or ribs

  1. Anterior Scalene
  2. Medial Scalene
  3. Posterior Scalene
  4. Splenius Cervicis
  5. Semispinalis Cervicis

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

  1. Trapezius
  2. Levator Scapulae

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!

Levator Floor Press

13th Secondary -- Levator Floor Press
Use this SMR exercise AFTER you do the Lats Roll and the Pecs Roll (or one of the Pecs Press alternatives). 

This SMR exercise addresses one of the 16 muscles attached to your shoulder blade, the levator scapulae. 

If you have trouble with neck pain or shoulder pain when you lift your arm, then this exercise is for you!

Keep in mind that the pectoralis minor muscle is involved in everything you do that involves the shoulder blade.

You will likely benefit from loosening knots in the levator scapulae, but be sure you stretch out the pec minor or your issue is likely to come right back.

You should do this movement at least once every 2 weeks. (more often is better)
For written instructions, click here.

For video instructions, click here. (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)

Click here to see the rest of the SMR Techniques.

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

**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.** 

SMR Butterfly

smr-butterfly-1e--gallery
14th Secondary -- SMR Butterfly
Use this SMR exercise AFTER you do the Lats Roll and the Pecs Roll (or one of the Pecs Press alternatives).

This SMR exercise addresses all of the muscles between your shoulder blade and your spine (primarily the rhomboids). 

If you have trouble with neck, shoulder, or upper back pain then this exercise is for you!

Keep in mind that the pectoralis minor muscle is involved in everything you do that involves the shoulder blade.

You will likely benefit from loosening knots in the rhomboids region, but be sure you stretch out the pec minor or your issue is likely to come right back.

You should do this movement at least once every 2 weeks. (more often is better)
For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the SMR Butterfly

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.** 

Double QL Press

ql-press-2a--gallery
28th Extended -- QL Press -- Double Ball
Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll, the Lats Roll, and in compliment with the Psoas Press (either immediately before or after). 


This SMR exercise is to address the deep knots in your lower back (primarily the quadratus lumborum muscle), and is an alternative to the QL Press. 


If you have tightness or discomfort in your lower back, then this exercise is likely to help.
For written instructions, click here.

For video instructions (2:27), click here. (Updated video coming soon!)

Click here to see the rest of the Extended Movements.
Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

**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.**