Tall Kneeling Cable Straight Arm Lat Pulldown

The tall kneeling cable straight arm lat pull down combines targeted lat development with integrated core stability training by forcing you to maintain a ribs-stacked-over-pelvis position that eliminates the lower back compensation common in standing variations. This accessory exercise delivers a two-for-one training effect, simultaneously building lat strength through pure shoulder extension while challenging your core’s ability to resist extension under load. Perfect for athletes seeking functional pulling strength or anyone looking to maximize training efficiency by combining upper back work with anti-extension core training in a single movement.

X Cable Face Pull

The X-cable face pull is an advanced face pull variation that allows for superior scapular protraction and retraction compared to traditional rope face pulls, making it an exceptional exercise for shoulder health, posterior deltoid development, and posture correction. By crossing the cables in an X pattern using dual D-handles, this shoulder-friendly movement creates a fuller range of motion that better targets the upper back, scapular stabilizers, and rear delts while reducing shoulder discomfort. Learn proper setup, execution technique, and programming strategies for this highly effective upper back exercise that benefits everyone from powerlifters to desk workers struggling with forward shoulder posture.

5 Overlooked Accessories That Add 50+ lbs to Your Total

Most powerlifters are missing out on fifty pounds or more on their total because they’re overlooking five critical accessory exercises that build core stability, upper back thickness, and unilateral leg strength. This comprehensive guide reveals how to properly execute and program the dead bug, Croc row, Bulgarian split squat, JM press, and suitcase carry to address weak links in your squat, bench press, and deadlift. Learn the exact progressions, loading parameters, and programming strategies that can add serious pounds to your powerlifting total in just six to eight weeks.

Smitley Shrug

Discover the Smitley Shrug, a revolutionary compound exercise that combines rear delt raises, face pulls, and shrugs into one powerful upper back movement that allows you to use significantly heavier weights than traditional isolation exercises. This innovative dumbbell exercise targets your upper traps, rear delts, and rhomboids simultaneously, making it the ultimate time-efficient solution for building serious upper back mass and strength. Perfect for both home and gym workouts, the Smitley Shrug delivers maximum muscle-building potential with minimal equipment requirements.

Breaking Plateaus: Programming For Squat PRs

Struggling with squat plateaus that seem impossible to break through? This comprehensive guide reveals the exact programming principles, assessment strategies, and training adjustments that strength athletes and powerlifters use to systematically overcome sticking points and build bigger squats. Learn how to manipulate volume, intensity, frequency, and variation while identifying the specific weaknesses—whether neural fatigue, muscular imbalances, or technical breakdowns—that are actually limiting your squat progress.

The REAL Secret To Bigger Traps | 4 Surprising Methods That Actually Work

Discover four superior alternatives to traditional shrugs that will transform your trap development and build a more impressive upper back. This comprehensive guide reveals battle rope kettlebell upright rows, high-elbow rowing variations, specialized rear delt raises, and loaded carries—proven exercises that target your entire trapezius complex while delivering additional benefits like improved grip strength and enhanced overall back development.

Chest Supported Rear Delt Raise

Master the chest supported rear delt raise to build stronger posterior deltoids and improve shoulder health with this comprehensive exercise guide. This essential upper back strengthening movement uses an incline bench and dumbbells to target your rear delts more effectively than traditional standing variations, making it perfect for rehabilitation, prehabilitation, and general strength training. Learn proper form, programming strategies, and why the chest-supported position eliminates compensation patterns while maximizing muscle activation for better results.