The lats are the second largest muscle in the body (the thighs being number one), and they show under the armpits even when the body is viewed from the front.

It is the lats which give you that wide-back appearance. Well-developed lats mean a super taper.

Grip at shoulder width or just slightly (1 inch or so) wider. False grip (no thumbs around bar to lessen forearm activation) Pull down while throwing head back and arching back (not leaning back - ARCHING).

Vince, I have to tell you that you are the greatest trainer ever. After spending three weeks at “Vince’s” I learned more than I would have in a lifetime training in my hometown.

Thank you for helping me get on the right track. I am still improving almost every workout, but I need a little advice about back building.

I notice that I neither have width or thickness in my lats. Any help would be appreciated.

Glad you enjoyed your stay John.

I liked working with you because you listened so diligently.

With regard to your back I suggest you train the area twice a week but use three different back routines (rotating them in order).

Workout No. One. Wide grip chins (to front), T-Bar Rows, Long Floor Pulley Rows

Workout No. Two. Racing-dive lat pulls, Close grip chin, Dumbell Rowing

Workout No. Three. Medium grip chin, Close grip pulldowns to chest, Hyper extensions.

Start with three sets of each exercise (eight reps) and work up to five sets of each.

As you get into the program decrease the rest time between sets as much as possible but not so much as to allow deep breathing to interfere with exercise performance.

Mr. Gironda, I read your column in MuscleMag International all the time and I have just bought your book at B. Dalton’s booksellers.

I have learned more from that book than anything else.

I do have a problem. It is my back.

I have a wide V-shape, my lats are thick and really spread out well, but my back is smooth. There are no lumps when I spread my back and even when I do a double biceps pose showing the back there are no lumps.

Please help me. I do plenty of bent over rowing exercises each workout, but I just do not know what else to do. My lower back is OK.

Rowing is a basic back exercise. You need isolation movements to bring up different areas of your back.

I suggest you try medium grip chins pulling the bar to the sternum 5 x 8.

Seated cable rowing (arching the torso each rep) 5 x 10.

Prone dumbbell rowing (on high bench) 5 x 8.

I would also do some trapezius work and posterior deltoid exercise.

More detail will be built into the upper back area if you build these two areas.

I am a woman bodybuilder who has been training for just under two months. I became inspired when my brother, who is a bodybuilder, took me to the Ms. Olympia bodybuilding show in Montreal. I really enjoyed myself. Everything about the show was first class.

My only training problem is that I cannot do the chin exercise. My arms are just not strong enough. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a competent chinner?

I need to widen and thicken my back.

I have the answer to your chinning problem right in my gym here in North Hollywood. It’s a special attachment that will help anyone in their chinning exercises. In fact MuscleMag’s Bob Kennedy was down at "Vince’s Gym" the other week and using this helper he managed ten one-arm chins non stop.

Until you come down to my gym (11262 Ventura Blvd., N. Hollywood) to use my apparatus I suggest you try doing partial chins from a high stool or chair. Gradually you will be able to do a complete chin on your own.

Another method would be to have a workout partner hold your knee and assist you as you pulled upwards.