Bodybuilding legend Rich Gaspari, known for his exceptional conditioning and impressive career in the Men’s Open division during the 1980s and 1990s, recently took to Instagram to share his tips on effectively training the rear delts and his best practices for recovery. Gaspari recommends performing bent-over rear laterals on an incline bench, emphasizing the importance of pulling with the elbows, keeping them higher than the forearms, and positioning the thumbs facing down and pinkies facing up. This technique allows for isolation of the rear delts and maximizes the effectiveness of the exercise.
Gaspari, who was known for his striated glutes on stage and won the first-ever Arnold Classic title in 1989, has made longevity and anti-aging his top priorities in retirement. With the recent deaths of many bodybuilders, he is focused on preserving his youth and credits his anti-aging peptide stack as one of his best assets for reversing the natural aging process. Gaspari also stresses the importance of proper sleep and rest for healthy living.
In his latest offering to fans, Gaspari explains the body mechanics behind incline bent laterals and advises lifters to ensure that their elbows are higher than their forearms during each movement. He suggests bringing the weight back instead of forward to target the rear head of the delt. Gaspari emphasizes the importance of working the rear delts, a small muscle group, and recommends performing the exercise strictly on an incline bench.
Gaspari also highlights the significance of proper rest for muscle growth, especially for those who train to failure during workouts. He believes that intense training is essential for building muscle, but without adequate sleep and recovery time, muscle growth will be hindered. Gaspari advises lifters to allow their muscles to recover and stresses the importance of rest for optimal muscle growth.
As a member of the bodybuilding community, Gaspari has witnessed the changes in the Men’s Open division. Similar to Lee Haney’s opinion about Open athletes being “60 pounds overweight,” Gaspari believes that modern competitors are relying too heavily on performance-enhancing drugs instead of focusing on quality training and nutrition. He echoes the concerns of former Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout, who warns about the dangers of PED cycles and the role that coaches play in encouraging their use.
In conclusion, Gaspari’s Instagram posts provide valuable insights into training the rear delts and the importance of rest for muscle growth. His experience and knowledge as a bodybuilding veteran make his advice highly valuable for aspiring bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts alike.
Published: 20 August, 2023 | 1:26 PM EDT
