LAT PULLDOWN

LATISSIMUS DORSI DELTOID ROTATOR CUFF
LINEAGE LAT PULLDOWNS LAT PULLDOWN
43 catalogued variants across band, cable, machine, stability ball.
DMG 99 · STA 6 · ★★★★★ · 43 VARIANTS
REFERENCE
Lat Pulldown

MOVE LIST · 43 VARIANTS

BENT OVER

3 VARIANTS
POSITION: BENT OVER EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 01

Bend over at your knees slightly after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position, switch sides to finish out the side.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: BENT OVER EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 02
A.K.A. Bent Over Standing Lat Pulldowns With Band Alternating Arms

Bend over at your knees slightly after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position then alternate arms to complete the repetition

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: BENT OVER EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 03
A.K.A. Band Bent-Over Standing Lat Pulldown

Bend over and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. With your forearms in a supinated position (palms facing upward), pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

Attach the band high on a door or post, grab the handles, step back to create tension in the bands, and bent at the waist to create a straight line from your torso to the band. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BENT OVER ON ONE LEG

2 VARIANTS
POSITION: BENT OVER ON ONE LEG EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 04
A.K.A. Bent Over Standing One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band One Arm

Lift one foot off the floor and bend over at your knees slightly after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arm wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: BENT OVER ON ONE LEG EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 05
A.K.A. Bent Over Standing One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band Alternating Arms

Bend over at your knees slightly after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position, alternate sides.

BAND icon
BAND

KNEELING

4 VARIANTS
POSITION: KNEELING EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH GRIP: SHOULDER SUPINATED EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 06

Kneel on the floor and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. With your forearms in a supinated position (palms facing upward), pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

POSITION: KNEELING EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 07

Kneel on the floor and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arm wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: KNEELING EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 08

Kneel on the floor and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position then alternate sides for the full repetition.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: KNEELING EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 09

Kneel on the floor and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

PRONE

3 VARIANTS
POSITION: PRONE EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 10
A.K.A. Laying Prone On Ball Lat Pulldowns With Band One Arm

Lay face down on a stability ball with your feet shoulder width apart after you attach the band high or mid-level on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and ar wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ELBOW IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR SIDE. LOOK AT THE PICTURE CLOSELY FOR DETAIL! Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: PRONE EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 11
A.K.A. Laying Prone On Ball Lat Pulldowns With Band Alternating Arms

Lay face down on a stability ball with your feet shoulder width apart after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position then alternate arms .

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: PRONE EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 12
A.K.A. Laying Prone On Ball Lat Pulldowns With Band Both Arms

Lay face down on a stability ball with your feet shoulder width apart after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ELBOWS ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR SIDE. LOOK AT THE PICTURE CLOSELY FOR DETAIL! Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND

PRONE ON ONE LEG

3 VARIANTS
POSITION: PRONE ON ONE LEG EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 13
A.K.A. Laying Prone On Ball One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band One Arm

Lay face down on a stability ball with one foot lifted off of the floor after you attach the band high or mid-level on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and ar wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: PRONE ON ONE LEG EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 14
A.K.A. Laying Prone On Ball One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band Alternating Arms

Lay face down on a stability ball and lift one foot off of the floor after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ELBOW IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR SIDE. LOOK AT THE PICTURE CLOSELY FOR DETAIL! Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position alternate using the other arm to finish out the repetition.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: PRONE ON ONE LEG EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 15
A.K.A. Laying Prone On Ball One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band Both Arms

Lay face down on a stability ball with one foot lifted off of the floor after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND

SEATED

18 VARIANTS
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 16

Sit on a stability ball and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arm wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position, switch sides to complete the full set.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 17

Sit down on a stability ball after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position, alternate each side for each repetition

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 18

Sit on a stability ball and attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EXECUTION: BILATERAL STATION: CROSS OVER VARIANT 19
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 20

Grab a handle in one hand, sit on the ball with your knees bent and your arm at an angle above you, pull the handle towards your side allowing your elbow to touch the side of your torso. keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum making sure to do the same amount on the other side until the set is complete.

CABLE icon
CABLE
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 21

Grab a handle in one hand, sit on the ball with your knees bent and your arm at an angle above you, pull the handle towards your side allowing your elbow to touch the side of your torso. keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum and alternate each side to complete the set.

CABLE icon
CABLE
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 22

Grab a handle in each hand, sit on the ball with your knees bent and your arms at an angle above you, pull the handles towards your sides allowing your elbows to touch the sides of your torso. keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum.

CABLE icon
CABLE
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 23

Grab a handle in one hand, sit on the bench with your knees bent and your arm at an angle above you, pull the handle towards your side allowing your elbow to touch the side of your torso. keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum, make sure to do the same amount on the other side to complete the set.

CABLE icon
CABLE
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 24

Grab a handle in each hand, sit on the bench with your knees bent and your arms at an angle above you, pull the handles towards your sides one arm at a time alternately allowing your elbows to touch the sides of your torso. keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum.

CABLE icon
CABLE
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: CABLE&HIGH EXECUTION: BILATERAL STATION: REGULAR VARIANT 25

Grab a handle in each hand, sit on the bench with your knees bent and your arms at an angle above you, pull the handles towards your sides allowing your elbows to touch the sides of your torso. keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum.

CABLE icon
CABLE
POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 26

Grab a long bar placing both hands on the end of each side, sit on the ball facing the machine with your knees bent and your arms vertically above you, pull the bar towards you chest keeping your body steady so as not to use momentum.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 27
A.K.A. One-Arm Lat Pulldown

Attach a D-handle to the pulley of a pulldown station. Sit sideways on the seat with your right arm facing the weight stack. Hold the handle with you right hand using an overhand grip with your arm extended straight up. Pull down the handle allowing your elbow to flair out to your side until the handle is about shoulder height. Hold this position for a second contracting your right lat as hard as possible and then slowly return the handle to the start position. Once you have competed all reps with the right arm, repeat with your left arm.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE GRIP: WIDE PRONATED EXECUTION: BILATERAL SETUP: BEHIND NECK VARIANT 28
A.K.A. Behind the Neck Lat Pulldown

Start- While standing, grasp the bar with an overhand grip at wider than shoulder width apart. Holding the bar, sit sit down on the machine. This should take the weight off the stack.

MOVE- Keeping your back straight, eyes facing forward, and without leaning back, slowly pull the bar down to the back of your neck. Do not let the bar touch your neck. Pause, and slowly lower the weight back to the starting position. Do not let the weight touch the stack. Repeat for desired reps.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE GRIP: CLOSE PRONATED EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 29
A.K.A. Close-Grip Lat Pulldown

Grab a close neutral-grip (aka V-bar) attachment. Sit on the bench facing the machine with your knees bent, feet placed securely and firmly on the ground and your arms vertically above you. Pull the bar towards you chest keeping your body steady and do not use momentum. Squeeze your lats and back tight and pause for a second and slowly return the arms to extension.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE GRIP: WIDE PRONATED EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 30

Grab a long bar placing both hands on the end of each side. Sit on the bench facing the machine with your knees bent, feet placed securely and firmly on the ground and your arms vertically above you. Pull the bar towards you chest keeping your body steady and do not use momentum. Squeeze your lats and back tight and pause for a second and slowly return the arms to extension.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE GRIP: CLOSE SUPINATED EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 31
A.K.A. Reverse-Grip Lat Pulldown

Grab a long bar placing both hands on the inner part of the bar with a under hand grip. Sit on the bench facing the machine with your knees bent, feet placed securely and firmly on the ground and your arms vertically above you. Pull the bar towards you chest keeping your body steady and do not use momentum. Squeeze your lats and back tight and pause for a second and slowly return the arms to extension. Move the bar down in front of your chin just below the neck line. You do not have to touch the base of the neck or top of the chest. As you extend back up, do not relax the bar so that your torso or any other part of your body comes up off of the seat.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE EXECUTION: BILATERAL ATTACHMENT: ROPE VARIANT 32
A.K.A. Rope Pulldown

Attach a rope attachment to the cable pulley of a pulldown station. Sit in the seat with your knees underneath the knee pads while holding onto the rope with a neutral grip (palms facing each other). Keeping your back straight and chest up, pull the rope down to your chest, bringing your elbows behind your back as far as possible. Hold this position for a second as you squeeze your shoulder blades together and contract your lats as hard as possible. Slowly return the rope handle to the start position and repeat for reps.

POSITION: SEATED EQUIPMENT: MACHINE EXECUTION: BILATERAL ATTACHMENT: BAR VARIANT 33

grab a long bar placing both hands on the end of each side. Sit on the bench facing the machine with your knees bent, feet placed securely and firmly on the ground and your arms vertically above you. Pull the bar towards you chest keeping your body steady and do not use momentum. Squeeze your lats and back tight and pause for a second and slowly return the arms to extension.Tips: Make sure that as you pull down you do not angle your elbows to go behind your torso. Move the bar down in front of your chin just below the neck line. You do not have to touch the base of the neck or top of the chest. As you extend back up, do not relax the bar so that your torso or any other part of your body comes up off of the seat.

Pro Tip

If your butt accidentally comes off the bench, you can adjust the pads or seat to make sure your thighs are secured properly. How To

Sit down on the bench while securing your thighs with the pads and gripping the bar overhead with an overhand grip much wider than shoulder-width apart. Exhale and pull the bar downward, driving your elbows into your sides while simultaneously driving your shoulder blades down and together. Continue lowering the bar until it is just above your shoulder level. Inhale and allow your arms to raise overhead while your shoulder blades part to return to the starting position.

How to Do Lat Pulldowns Correctly

Begin by adjusting the thigh pad to fit snugly against your thighs to prevent your body from lifting off the seat. Grasp the bar with an overhand (pronated) grip, with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Sit with your thighs under the thigh pad, keep your chest up, and look at the bar. Pull the bar down towards your chest, leading with your elbows. Pull until the bar is below your chin or touches your upper chest. Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the bottom of the movement. Exhale and slowly release the bar back up to the starting position.

SEATED ONE LEG IN THE AIR

3 VARIANTS
POSITION: SEATED ONE LEG IN THE AIR EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 34

Sit on a stability ball and lift one foot off the floor then attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arm wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SEATED ONE LEG IN THE AIR EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 35

Instructions

Sit on a stability ball and lift one foot off of the floor then attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position, alternate sides for each repetition. Tips

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR ELBOWS ARE IN ALIGNMENT WITH YOUR SIDE. LOOK AT THE PICTURE CLOSELY FOR DETAIL!

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SEATED ONE LEG IN THE AIR EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 36

Sit on a stability ball and lift one leg off of the floor after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND

STANDING

1 VARIANT
POSITION: STANDING EQUIPMENT: MACHINE EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 37

Stand at a pulldown station and place one foot up on the seat or on the knee pad as you hold onto the bar attachment with an overhand grip and lean back slightly while keeping your back arched and your chest up. Use your lats to pull the bar down to your upper chest and hold this position as you squeeze your shoulder blades together and flex your lats. Then return the bar to the start position and repeat for reps.

SUPINE

3 VARIANTS
POSITION: SUPINE EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 38
A.K.A. Laying On Back On Ball Lat Pulldowns With Band One Arm

Lay face up on a stability ball with your feet shoulder width apart after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arm wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SUPINE EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 39
A.K.A. Laying On Back On Ball Lat Pulldowns With Band Alternating Arms

Lay face up on a stability ball with your feet shoulder width apart after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position then alternate sides when you are done.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SUPINE EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 40
A.K.A. Laying On Back On Ball Lat Pulldowns With Band Both Arms

Lay down face upward with your back on a stability ball and your feet shoulder width apart after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND

SUPINE ONE LEG IN THE AIR

3 VARIANTS
POSITION: SUPINE ONE LEG IN THE AIR EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: UNILATERAL VARIANT 41
A.K.A. Laying On Back On Ball One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band One Arm

Lay on a stability ball face up with one foot lifted off of the floor after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arm wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SUPINE ONE LEG IN THE AIR EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: ALTERNATING VARIANT 42
A.K.A. Laying On Back On Ball One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band Alternating Arms

Lay on a stability ball face up and lift one foot off of the floor after you attach the band high or mid-level on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and ar wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearm in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tight as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position alternating arms to complete one repetition.

BAND icon
BAND
POSITION: SUPINE ONE LEG IN THE AIR EQUIPMENT: BAND&HIGH EQUIPMENT: STABILITY BALL EXECUTION: BILATERAL VARIANT 43
A.K.A. Laying On Back On Ball One Leg Lat Pulldowns With Band Both Arms

Lay on a stability ball face up with your foot lifted off the floor after you attach the band high on a door or post. Keep your chest broad and arms wide. Pull down as far as you can keeping your forearms in line with the direction of the band. Squeeze your back tigh as you contract, and slowly move back towards the starting position.

BAND icon
BAND
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