Body

muscle

Where it runs

From the front surface of the shoulder blade, between it and the ribs, to the front of the top of the upper arm bone.

What it does

Part of the rotator cuff. Turns the arm inwards and guards the front of the joint.

In a pull-up

Works with the latissimus, which also turns the arm inwards, to keep the front of the joint steady under load.

Drills that work it

In the programs

• Phase 3 — Strict again — Shoulder: kipping works, strict pull-ups do not

Works alongside

Other structures the same drills work.

• Latissimus dorsi
• Lower trapezius
• Teres major
• Rhomboids
• Brachialis
• Biceps
• Forearm and finger flexors
• Pectoralis major

Test your recall: the free shoulder anatomy quiz asks about the subscapularis →

General anatomy, simplified. It describes a structure, not anybody's shoulder, and cannot say what is wrong with yours.