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Exercise guide
Lat Pulldown
A cable machine exercise targeting the latissimus dorsi.
What this exercise works
- Muscles
- latissimus dorsi · biceps brachii · posterior deltoid · rhomboids
- Goals
- hypertrophy · strength
- Equipment
- Cable machine
- Category
- Strength
- Difficulty
- beginner
Demonstration
Step 1
Step 2
How to perform the movement
- Sit at the lat pulldown machine with thighs secured under the pads.
- Grip the wide bar with an overhand grip.
- Pull the bar down to your upper chest, squeezing your lats.
- Slowly return the bar to the starting position.
- Repeat.
Technique cues and common mistakes
- Drive your elbows down and back rather than pulling with your hands.
- Avoid leaning far back or using momentum to move the weight.
- Keep your chest lifted and shoulders down away from your ears.