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Feel like showing off a sexy back? Check out the key moves that have
given Chris Lydon an awesome, sculpted back.
| Back To Back |
Oxygen #57, pg. 86 |
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By Leslie Gordon
No question about it: One of Chris’s best physical assets is her well-defined,
muscular back. In addition to playing lots of sports – hockey, skiing,
snowboarding and mountain biking – she does these key moves in the
gym.
Wide-Grip Pullups
(outer lats)
This exercise is your ultimate lat builder, says Chris, who faithfully does
six sets each week. “Pullups are difficult, but they’ll give
you width in your lats very quickly and push your strength through the roof.”
Chris starts by grabbing the bar above her head with a wide overhand grip.
Keeping her arms straight, she bends her knees to a 90-degree angle and
crosses her ankles behind her. Flexing her lats, she bends her elbows to
pull her chest toward the bar. Once her chin is over the bar, she pauses,
then returns to the starting position in a controlled motion.
beginners: Try using
a spotter or a chair only on the way up. Once you get to the top, Chris
recommends using your own power to lower yourself back to the start position.
Do as many as you can, then move on to the next exercise.
safety
tip: Watch your teeth – once or twice Chris has ended
up with a sore mouth.
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 Dumbbell
Rows
(upper back and lats)
Free weights are always a great way to challenge your muscles and improve
balance and coordination, says Chris. She has been doing dumbbell rows since
she started lifting weights, and highly recommends the exercise for women
wanting to build size. With an exercise bench on her left side and a dumbbell
in her right hand, arm straight, Chris places her left knee on the bench
and supports her body with her left hand. Maintaining a natural curve in
her spine and keeping her shoulders and hips square to the floor, Chris
exhales and pulls the weight straight up under her chest. She pauses, then
slowly returns to the starting position.
focus
on form: Keep your shoulders down and chest out at all times.
Also, to avoid injuring your lower back, bend only from the hips, not the
waist.
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To read the full article, pick
up a copy of Oxygen
#57
today!
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