By the final set, Marcus’s back felt like a topographical map. There was no clanging of plates, just the soft hum of the bands stretching and the steady rhythm of his breath. He walked to the mirror; his traps were pumped, sitting high and wide.

The gym was unusually quiet, the kind of silence that usually means serious work is happening. In the corner, Marcus wasn't loading up a barbell or eyeing the squat rack. Instead, he pulled a set of heavy-duty resistance bands from his bag.

Most people ignore the lower traps, but Marcus knew they were the secret to posture and shoulder health. He anchored the band low and performed . Keeping his arms locked, he raised them into a "Y" shape. The resistance was subtle but deep, targeting the fibers that pull the shoulder blades down and back.