T Nation 25th Anniversary Giveaway - Enter Now
Categories: Bigger Stronger Leaner

Tip: Get Double the Results from Pullovers

The Classic Pullover

It's an exercise bodybuilders have been doing for decades. You've seen pictures of Arnie doing them. They've been credited for training the lats, pecs, serratus, and expanding your ribcage. Talk about bang for your buck!

While it's a great lift that targets a lot of muscles all at once, it does have one drawback. At the bottom of the lift the long lever arm means that huge degrees of tension are placed upon the lats and upper pecs. As you lift, however, this drops off significantly, making the top half of the lift (when the dumbbell is over your face) largely redundant from a muscle-building perspective.

The simple addition of a band anchored behind you fixes this issue.

When you do them like this, the band keeps adding tension throughout the range while the resistance from gravity diminishes as the lever arm shortens. All told, this causes your muscles to have to work harder for longer. That combo adds up to more growth.

Recent Posts

  • Stuff We Make

Mag-10

1 year ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Question of Strength 65

Ask Me Anything I receive great questions in my T Nation Community Coaching Lab. If…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Question of Strength 64

Ask Me Anything I get a lot of great questions in my T Nation Community…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Your Warm-Up Is Killing Your Workout... and Gains

An Exaggerated Warm-Up Isn't Helpful I don't know when the lengthy warm-up became a thing,…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Assess Your Metabolic State, Dominate Your Workout

Training and Your Metabolic State When I think "workout," I think of speeds. Your metabolic…

2 years ago