10 Best Exercises to Train Your Lats

Even though your back muscles are not as obvious as your front muscles like your biceps or chest, they are crucial for good posture, looking good, and moving well. One of the most important back muscles is your lats, and there are plenty of exercises you can do to make them stronger.

Your lats, or latissimus dorsi, are big muscles that form most of your mid-back in a wide, fan-like shape. When combined with your traps in the upper back, they give that “V” shape many guys want when they’re building a strong upper body.

Your lats are essential for lots of everyday movements, not just in the gym but also in regular life, like pulling things towards you. Whether it’s doing dumbbell rows or pulling your kids close, your lats are doing the work. 

In this article, we’ll explain the lats’ structure and give you a solid workout plan for a powerful back that grabs everyone’s attention.

Lat Muscle Anatomy

The latissimus dorsi, often called the “lats,” is the biggest muscle in the upper body and plays a crucial role in building a strong, well-defined back. It has several starting points: from the spine in the chest and lower back, the lower ribs, the tough fascia in the lower back, all the way to the edge of the upper hip bone known as the iliac crest.

The lats run alongside the rib cage and have a big impact on upper body movements. They connect to the inner front part of the upper arm bone, called the humerus. The main job of the lats is to pull the arm closer to the body, which you can see in actions like pull-ups and rows. They also help with rotating the arm inward.

As a helper muscle, the lats assist in spine movements like extending (straightening), bending sideways, and twisting. Because of their wide starting points, they’re great for powerful pulling movements. This flexibility allows people to target different parts of the lats through exercises like pull-ups (pulling up vertically) and rows (pulling horizontally).

10 Best Lat Exercises

Creating a strong, defined back means focusing on the latissimus dorsi muscles, often known as “lats.” These muscles, found on each side of the upper body, are crucial for achieving a well-rounded and impressive physique.

Let’s explore four great exercises for targeting the lats, helping you build a powerful back and boost your overall strength.

1. TRX Swimmer Pull

The TRX Swimmer Pull is an exercise that primarily targets the latissimus dorsi (lats) and also engages the core, shoulders, and biceps.

How to perform:

1. Attach the TRX straps to a secure anchor point.
2. Grab the handles with an overhand grip and lean back with your arms extended, ensuring the straps are taut.
3. Keep your body straight and tighten your core. Your feet should be positioned shoulder-width apart for stability.
4. Begin the exercise by pulling the handles down towards your hips while keeping your arms straight.
5. As you pull the handles down, focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together, which intensifies the engagement of the lats.
6. Slowly return to the starting position by extending your arms back to full length. Control the movement to maximize the tension on the lats throughout the exercise.
7. Perform 10-12 reps per set, depending on your fitness level and training goals.

2. Pushups

Pushups, while primarily targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps, also engage the latissimus dorsi (lats) muscles, albeit not as the primary movers. The involvement of the lats in pushups is more about stabilization and support rather than direct action.

How to perform:

1. Begin in a plank position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels.
2. Engage your core by tightening your abdominal muscles. Keep your body rigid throughout the movement to prevent your hips from sagging or lifting.
3. As you lower yourself, keep your elbows at a 45-degree angle to your body. This helps in reducing the stress on your shoulder joints.
4. Slowly lower your body by bending your elbows until your chest nearly touches the floor. Make sure your body remains straight and rigid.
5. Exhale as you push back up to the starting position by extending your arms. Focus on using your chest and arm muscles to lift your body.
6. Maintain a neutral neck alignment by looking slightly ahead rather than straight down.

3. Landmine Rows

The primary muscle group worked by the Landmine Row is the lats, along with other muscles of the upper back such as the rhomboids, teres major and minor, and the trapezius. The rowing motion specifically activates these muscles, making it a comprehensive exercise for back development.

How to perform:

1. Anchor one end of a barbell in a landmine attachment or securely wedge it into a corner. If neither is available, you can improvise by placing the end in a corner padded with a towel to prevent damage.
2. Stand over the bar, facing the anchored end. Hinge at the hips and slightly bend your knees to grab the bar with both hands (for a double-arm row) or one hand (for a single-arm row). Use a neutral grip (palms facing each other if using a handle attachment).
3. Keeping your back flat and core engaged, pull the bar towards your abdomen. Focus on driving the movement with your elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement to fully engage the lats.
4. You can perform variations such as the single-arm row or the Meadows row (named after bodybuilder John Meadows), which involves a more angled pull to vary the muscle activation.
5. Lower the bar back to the starting position under control, maintaining the tension in your lats and back throughout the movement.
6. Perform 3-4 sets of 6-12 reps, depending on your fitness level and training goals.

4. Negative Pull-Ups

Negative pull-ups focus on the eccentric (lowering) phase of the pull-up, which can help build strength in the lats and other upper body muscles.

How to perform:

1. Begin by getting into the top position of a pull-up. You can do this by jumping up or standing on a box, grabbing the bar with a grip slightly wider than shoulder-width.
2. From the top position, with your chin over the bar, slowly start to lower yourself down. Focus on controlling your descent and keeping your core engaged to maintain a straight body line.
3. Aim to take about 3 to 5 seconds to lower yourself until your arms are fully extended. This slow, controlled movement increases the time under tension for the muscles, enhancing strength development.
4. Once you reach the bottom of the movement with your arms fully extended, you can let go of the bar and step back onto the box or the ground to reset.
5. Perform 3-5 sets, depending on your fitness level and training goals.

5. Lat Pull-Downs

Lat pull-downs are a staple exercise for targeting the latissimus dorsi muscles in the back, which are essential for achieving a wide, V-shaped torso.

How to perform:

1. Sit down at a lat pull-down machine and adjust the knee pad to fit snugly against your legs to prevent your body from being lifted by the weight. Choose an appropriate weight from the stack.
2. Grasp the bar with an overhand grip. Your hands should be wider than shoulder-width apart, but the exact width can vary based on comfort and the part of the lats you want to emphasize. A wider grip targets the outer lats more, while a narrower grip focuses on the lower lats and also involves the rhomboids and trapezius
3. With your grip established, sit down and extend your arms fully. Lean back slightly from the hips, maintaining a straight back. This is your starting position.
4. Exhale and pull the bar down towards your chest, drawing your shoulder blades down and back as you lower the bar. Aim to bring the bar to just below chin level or to your upper chest. Keep your elbows pointed straight down, not backward.
5. Inhale as you slowly let the bar ascend back to the starting position with your arms fully extended and your lats fully stretched.
6. Perform 8 to 12 repetitions for 3 to 4 sets, depending on your fitness level and training goals.

6. Dumbbell Rows

Dumbbell rows target the lats, rhomboids, and traps, and are excellent for improving back strength and symmetry.

1. Stand to the side of a flat bench. Place a dumbbell on the floor on the side of the bench you will be working first. Position your opposite knee and hand on the bench for support, creating a stable tripod position with your body.
2. Reach down and grasp the dumbbell with a neutral grip (palm facing in). Your arm should be extended, and your back should be flat and parallel to the ground. Make sure your neck is in a neutral position, aligning with your spine.
3. Exhale as you row the dumbbell upwards towards your hip, keeping your elbow close to your body and retracting your shoulder blade towards your spine at the top of the movement. Focus on pulling through your elbow and using your back muscles rather than your arm.
4. Inhale as you lower the dumbbell back to the starting position in a controlled manner, fully extending your arm and stretching your lat.
5. Perform 8 to 12 repetitions on one side, then switch and repeat on the other side. Aim for 3 to 4 sets.

7. Deadlifts

Deadlifts are primarily known as a lower body exercise, targeting the glutes, hamstrings, and lower back. However, they also significantly engage the latissimus dorsi (lats), especially when performed with specific techniques aimed at enhancing lat activation.

How to perform:

1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, with your toes pointing slightly outwards. The barbell should be positioned over the mid-foot, close enough that your shins are near but not touching it yet.
2. Bend at the hips and knees to reach down and grasp the bar. Your hands should be just outside your knees, using an overhand grip or a mixed grip (one hand over, one hand under) to prevent the bar from rolling.
3. Before lifting, lift your chest up and straighten your lower back to engage your core. This helps maintain a neutral spine throughout the lift.
4. Begin the lift by pushing through your heels, not the balls of your feet. Keep the bar close to your body as you stand up, lifting with your legs and hips simultaneously.
5. As you reach the top of the movement, lock your hips and knees. Your shoulders should be back and down, and your chest up. Avoid leaning back at the top.
6. To return the bar to the ground, hinge at the hips and slightly bend the knees. Keep the bar close to your body and your back straight as you lower the weight in a controlled manner.

8. Barbell Rows

Barbell rows are a potent exercise specifically targeting the upper body, particularly the lats. The exercise directly works the lats through a dynamic range of motion, where the muscle fibers are actively lengthened and shortened. This direct engagement is crucial for increasing muscle size and strength.

How to perform:

1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart. Bend over and grab the bar with a pronated grip (palms facing down), about shoulder-width apart. The bar should start on the floor.
2. Bend your knees slightly and hinge forward from your hips, keeping your back flat. Your torso should be almost parallel to the floor, or slightly above.
3. Pull the bar towards your lower chest or upper abdomen. Lead with your elbows and squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top of the movement. Keep your elbows close to your body.
4. Lower the bar back to the starting position under control. Keep your core engaged and your back flat throughout the movement to protect your spine.
5. Exhale as you pull the bar towards your body and inhale as you lower it back to the starting position.

9. Cable Row

Cable rows specifically target the lats through a horizontal pulling motion. The movement involves pulling a weight towards the torso, which directly works the lats by moving the arms in adduction across the body.

The cable system allows for a smooth, continuous tension throughout the exercise, which is crucial for muscle growth. This controlled resistance helps in maximizing the contraction and stretch of the lats during each rep.

How to perform:

1. Sit on the cable row machine with your knees slightly bent and feet firmly planted on the footrest. Grasp the cable attachment, which may vary in shape (e.g., a triangle handle or bar).
2. Sit up tall, maintaining a slight bend in the knees. Engage your abs and lower back to keep your torso perpendicular to the floor. Ensure your shoulders are rolled back and down.
3. Initiate the row by driving your elbows back and squeezing your shoulder blades together, as if pinching a pencil between them. Pull the handle towards your torso, aiming right above your belly button. Pause briefly in this position.
4. Slowly extend your arms to return the handle to the starting position. Keep your shoulder blades engaged and avoid leaning forward excessively during the return phase.
5. Exhale as you pull the handle towards you and inhale as you return to the starting position.
6. Perform 2-3 sets of 10 reps each, adjusting the weight as necessary to ensure the exercise remains challenging but doable.

10. Pull-Ups

Pull-ups require significant lat engagement to perform the pulling motion. The lats are primarily responsible for the adduction and extension of the shoulder joint during the exercise.

Different grip widths and styles (such as wide, narrow, or neutral grips) can alter the emphasis on the lats, allowing for comprehensive development of different parts of these muscles.

1. Start by gripping the pull-up bar with your palms facing away from you, hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Hang from the bar with your arms fully extended, feet off the ground, and legs either straight or with knees slightly bent.
2. Cross your feet beneath you for stability and engage your core. This helps keep your bodyweight centered.
3. While exhaling, pull yourself upwards by driving your elbows down towards the floor. Focus on using your back muscles rather than just your arms. Imagine pulling your shoulder blades down and inward as you ascend.
4. Aim for a smooth and unhurried ascent, pulling yourself up until your chin is just over the bar. Make sure your body remains straight, avoiding any kicking or arching of the back.
5. Lower yourself back down in a controlled manner until your arms are fully extended again. This controlled descent is crucial for maximizing muscle engagement and development.
6. Start with a single pull-up and gradually increase the reps. Aim for 2-3 sets of 5, progressively working up to sets of 10 as your strength improves.

Final Words

Start working out your lats today! Your lats do a lot for you every day, even if you don’t realize it. But hurting them can really mess up your upper body. To keep your lats healthy, make sure to work them out regularly and warm up well before to lower your risk of injury.

As you get better, slowly lift heavier weights and do more reps to make your muscles work harder and grow. The most important thing is to be consistent with your workouts to get the results you want.