A simple upper body strength exercise can save multiple trips to the orthopedic surgeon. For many, the best ‘medicine’ for good posture, back, and shoulder health is the row with scapular retraction. Using modalities like tubing, a cable, or dumbbells can effectively target the mid-upper back muscles that are so important to upper body health, provided proper form is performed. Technique can mean all the difference in not only what you get out of an exercise, but in avoiding injury in the process.
To perform:
- Wrap tubing around an upright.
- Grasp both handles of tubing, one in each hand.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades back and inward toward one another.
- Using your upper back and biceps, bend the elbows and pull the tubing back toward you.
- Stop when upper arms are even with your back.
- Straighten arms back to starting position.
Let’s discuss! Technique is critical even on ‘simple’ exercises like this.