09/09/2026
The Lats are primarily shoulder moving muscles, even though they appear on the back. And appear they do! They span most of your back, covering just about all the other back muscles except their upstairs neighbors, the Trapeziuses.
The Lats are powerful. They pull your body weight up and forward in movements like climbing, swimming, and pull-ups. Or, if your body is still and you’re pulling weight into you- like opening a heavy door. But, they are very tolerant and rarely get injured.
As long as you’re not a serious baseball pitcher.
Often in a Pilates, yoga, or fitness class you’ll hear the instructor say, “feel your lats!” when you are pulling your arms in or down, or supporting your body weight. But where are they? What are they doing?
Think of the lats as your body’s “Jack of all trades.” From an anatomical position, they play a part in:
-Pressing your arms back
-Pulling your arms in at your side
-Rotating your arms inward
-Bending your low back backward
-Bending to your side
-Stabilizing your spine
-Maintaining good posture
-Breathing
-Pulling your shoulder girdle down
-Tilting your pelvis forward
What can’t they do!?
Get a boost of lat work in your next Pilates class. Anytime your arms are on the floor by your side, keep them consistently pressing down into the floor- from the tops of your shoulder blades down into your fingertips.
