Posts tagged back training | XY Files – Veedma's evidence-based men's health articles

Neutral grip pulldown: how to build your back while protecting your shoulders

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Nov 26, 2025 · 9 min read

The traditional lat pulldown is a staple for back width, but it forces your shoulders into a position that can cause long-term impingement. Here is why the neutral grip variation offers the same muscle growth with superior joint mechanics. “The neutral grip pulldown is rarely just an alternative for variety; for many of my patients, ...

Rowing machine muscles worked: how one stroke trains almost your entire body

Dr. Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Nov 23, 2025 · 10 min read

While often mistaken for an upper-body exercise, the rowing stroke is a sophisticated power movement that engages 86 percent of the body’s muscle mass. Here is the clinical breakdown of the muscles a rower works and how to optimize your form for maximum benefit. “Many patients assume rowing is an arm workout, but bio-mechanically, it ...