My
new gym does not have a low back machine that allows articulation
through the spine. I have tried the seated
cable row as described on your site but my spine only bends
slightly just before the weight bottoms out.
Some weight training manufactures have lengthened the cable
on their cable seated row machine so users can only perform the
straight
back version presumably over concern of the safety
of the spine articulating during the cable row at least for
some frail uninformed individals that may find there way onto
their machines. Another possibility is you have extremely flexible
hamstrings allowing your greater than normal anteriorly rotation
of the hips so your spine back does not have the opportunity
to flex forward. In any case, you can try one or more of these
options as a work around:
If you perform the exercise on standard low pulley cable instead
of a dedicated seated cable row machine, you will need to find
something flat [weight plate(s), aerobics step, etc] to place
at the base of the frame to keep your feet from sliding forward.
Alternatively you can straddle a bench positioned in front of
the low pulley cable. Some benches accommodate your feet to be
positioned on the bench's base with your knees slightly bent.
Which chest exercise would aid in firming and lifting my
breasts along with increase cleavage with low neckline sweaters?
Generally
speaking, after the age of 20, we can lose 1/3 lb to 1/2 lb of
muscle mass and gain 1 pound of fat each year. The exercises
for the chest can restore muscle mass under the breast tissue.
If the restoration of muscle mass is accompanied with a decrease
of fat there may be no net change of girth, but a toning effect.
Both an increase of muscle and decrease of fat will result in
this toning effect. Although, this may not really restore the
natural sagging of the breasts that occurs with age, particularly
if you have ever nursed your children. As you know, the breast
is an organ surrounded with fat tissue. Exercises for the upper
chest may yield somewhat an illusion of upper breast cleavage.
Products like the Wonder Bra or in extreme cases, reconstructive
surgery will yield more dramatic effects. Realize plastic surgery
does not need to include implants. Certainly, I urge you to at
least try an exercise program including chest exercises.
In the beginning, most any basic chest exercise you feel comfortable
with can be recommended. Later, the more effective exercises
become the ones that are less familiar. Even the best exercise
can lose its effects over time. Change
your exercises every month or two. Pick one basic
exercise for the Chest
(General) and one exercise for the upper chest (Pectoralis
Clavicular). If you are using a split
program and specializing on the chest, add an auxiliary
exercise for the chest. Continue to perform an exercise for
every major muscle.
Also, your chest may appear fuller with proper shoulder girdle
posture. Protracted
shoulders can make the chest appear flatter. Including a
rowing movement
in your weight training program and exercising through a full
range of motion (very mild stretch during chest exercise) will
help maintain ideal shoulder girdle posture. Also be aware of
other postural deficiencies
which may influence the overall aesthetics
of the body.
Also see related Question
and Answer.