Major Muscle Group |
Location |
Functional Role |
| Abdominal |
Stomach |
Sitting up, postural alignment |
| Biceps |
Front of upper arm |
Lifting, pulling |
| Deltoids |
Top of shoulder |
Overhead lifting |
| Erector Spinae |
Low back |
Postural alignment |
| Gastrocnemius & Soleus |
Back of lower leg |
Push off for walking, standing on tiptoes |
| Gluteus |
Buttocks |
Climbing stairs, walking, standing up |
| Hamstrings |
Thigh – back |
Walking |
| Latissimus Dorsi & Rhomboids |
Back – Lats are the large triangular muscle in the mid-back Rhomboids are between the shoulder blades |
Lats – pull ups, chin-ups, lat pull downs
Rhomboids – chin-ups & bent arm rows |
| Obliques |
Side of body |
Rotation and side flexion of body |
| Pectoralis |
Front of upper chest |
Push up from lying position, push open a door |
| Quadriceps |
Thigh – front |
Climbing stairs, walking, standing up |
| Trapezius |
Large muscle in upper and mid-back |
Moves head sideways |
| Triceps |
Back of upper arm |
Pushing |