If you are looking for a good workout to work out your rear chain, there is no better option than the iity. Chances are that you are more familiar with the arm movements that come with the spelling out KFUM than you are with the iity, but there is a reason to integrate the latter letters into your routine. While both can Give your upper body a workoutOnly one will not let people look at you sideways in the gym.
“Ice is a compound movement aimed at your upper back and shoulders,” says Michael Betts, CPT. “Named according to the forms your arms do during each phase, this exercise strengthens the often realize rear chain muscles that are crucial to posture and shoulder health.”
In front of your guide to Ity, including the benefits, how to make them and common mistakes to avoid.
Experts displayed in this article:
Michael BettsCPT, is a director at Train fitnessA British based fitness platform and exercise program.
The benefits of the iry shoulder exercises
Itys (also called iyts) are specifically good for those of us who are victims of “texthals”, and let’s realize it, who is not these days? “Itys build strength in the rear chain, which is quite commonly neglected,” says Betts. “This translates to Better postureReduced shoulder pain and improved stability to drive and pull movements. The exercise helps to counteract the forward -rolled shoulder position that many develop from desktop work or telephone use. “
How to make itys
Lie with your face down on a bench or carpet. Start by hanging the arms straight down to the floor. For each position, hold a small bend in the elbows and squeeze the shoulder blades:
- I position: Lift your arms straight up by the side of the ears. Remember to reach your fingertips on the wall in front of you. Hold for two seconds and then lower.
- T -Position: Lift your arms to the sides, parallel to the floor. Hold the palms towards down. Hold for two seconds and then lower.
- Y position: Place arms at 45 -degree angles to form a “y” shape. Keep your thumb to point to the ceiling. Hold for two seconds and then lower.
While this move can be done with light 2 kg or 3 kg dumbbells like these PS neoprene dumbbell ($ 7), it’s best to perfection the movement first with your body weight before adding additional weights to the movement.
Muscles worked
Ity’s is an exercise aimed at your upper rear chain, which includes several of the upper back muscles. Here are which areas you will target itys:
- Trapezius: Run from the upper back to the neck and stabilizes the shoulder blade.
- Rhomboids: Upper back muscles that help with shoulder stability and movement.
- Rear deltoids: Located on the back of the shoulders and stabilizes the shoulder joint to help pull movements.
- Rotator cuff muscles: a group of muscles that surround the shoulder joint and are responsible for moving the shoulder.
- Serratus anterior: Located in the chest and helps stabilize and move the shoulder blade.
Form tips for Ity
Form is a crucial part of all exercises to ensure that you get the most out of the move. In front, Bett’s shares form tips for ITYS:
- Keep your neck neutral: Look down at the floor rather than lifting your head.
- Use the shoulders: Initiate each rope through the shoulders by first squeezing your shoulder blades and then lifting your arms.
- Check the movement: Make sure you maintain control during the movement’s lowing phase, rather than letting your arms release.
- Keep your core engaged: You do not want your lounging back to the bow when you perform this movement, so Batts splits it Nuclear engagement is important.
Ordinary icy mistake
Since there are many patterns of movement in this exercise, it is important to pay attention to the form to protect you from injury. Betts points out these common mistakes to avoid.
- Using momentum instead of controlled movement: “When the momentum takes over under ITYS, you bypass the most important stabilizing muscles. These movements are directed, “Betts says.” The rear deltoids, rhomboids and lower trapezius need time under tension to strengthen properly. Turning or bouncing through the movements reduces this critical time under tension and can place uncertain stress on your rotator cuff. “In the end, the goal is to build endurance and stability in these postural muscles through accurate, intentional movement patterns.
- Lift your head and create a neck stem: Main position can dramatically affect your form during Ity. “Lift your head leans your cervical spine out of neutral orientation and activates your upper trapezius. This compensation pattern shifts works away from the targeted rear chain muscles and creates unnecessary tension in the throat,” Betts says. As a side effect, you can experience cervical loading and headaches.
- Failure to maintain the shoulder blade withdrawal throughout the movement: “The basis for Ity’s lies in keeping the shoulder blades being pulled back and down through each phase,” says Betts. “When this withdrawal is not maintained, the shoulders roll forward and the chest caves in.” This can reduce the activation of the Rhomboids and the middle/lower traps while placing excessive load on the front axis. “Proper leaf positioning creates the stable base needed to strengthen the entire rear chain,” Betts says.
- Rushes through repetitions rather than focusing on muscle engagement: “Speed kills shape under Ity,” warns bite. “Racing through reps prevents proper mind muscle connection and reduces the time under tension.” Try to avoid fast, jerky movements when the rear chain muscles respond best to controlled concentric and eccentric phases. Take two to three seconds up and down for each rope.
- Lift too heavy: “Start with body weight just to master the pattern of movement,” Betts says. Then, when you are ready to add load, stick to very light dumbbells. Betts proposes a maximum of 2-3 kg. “Using heavy weights forces compensation from larger muscle groups and reduces insulation of the rear chain,” Betts says. The key is to focus on perfect positions rather than moving heavy weight.
Brittany Hammond is a NASM certified fitness instructor, a fitness writer and an avid reader. In addition to PS, she has contributed to livestrong.com, good+good, very well fit and health.com. She has worked as a group conditioner for the past seven years.


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