When targeting your shoulders and back, make lat pulldown your favorite partner. Ideal for beginners, this exercise requires a cable pulley machine, a few light weights, or a resistance band. This simple workout requires you to pull a hanging bar up to your chin level and release it back up with control while seated.
Sounds like a simple back workout routine? Don’t be mistaken. A majority commit common lat pulldown mistakes, reducing the impact of their upper-body strength workout.
Learn how to do a lat pulldown in a back workout gym, some interesting variations, and the common mistakes you must avoid.
How to Do a Proper Lat Pulldown?
Follow the below-mentioned steps to perform lat pulldown in a proper form:
- Sit comfortably on the pulldown seat while resting your feet on the floor.
- Check the height of the bar with a gym trainer’s help. The appropriate height for the bar is where your outstretched arms can comfortably grasp it without having to stand up.
- Grasp the bar with a knuckles-up grip. This position is ideal for beginners.
- Now pull the bar down till it approximately reaches your chin level. Exhale as you pull in a downward motion. You must aim to keep your upper torso stationary, feet flat, and abs engaged as you pull.
- Stop at that point when your elbows can’t move any further downward.
- While maintaining square shoulders, squeeze the shoulder blades together.
- Slowly return the bar to the starting position, ensuring you control its gradual ascent.
- Continue up to the recommended repetitions in a set. Rest, and repeat.
Benefits of Lat Pulldowns
Target muscles: latissimus dorsi, commonly called lat.
Location: These are just under the armpits and spread across and down the back. The benefits of lat pulldowns are as follows:
- You can focus specifically on the lats without tiring the biceps or triceps.
- Incorporating lat pulldown in your back workout routine helps with proper posture.
- Strengthening lats relieves several kinds of back pain.
Variations of Lat Pulldowns
Here are some variations of lat pulldowns to help you meet your goals better.
The Beginners’ Version
Beginners must start with light weights or a resistance band. Then, they can try executing the exercise while standing and placing a leg forward as if walking.
Alternative Grips
You can try narrow, wider, under or overhand grips. These help target specific muscle groups. For instance, a middle-distance grip, with vertical forearms and hands shoulder-width apart, allows you to concentrate on your biceps and middle back. Conversely, a wider grip engages more back muscles, and a close grip targets the forearm muscles.
Reversing Your Grip
Reversing the grip to underhand requires your knuckles to face downward and palms upwards. As a result, it puts more work on the upper arm muscles or biceps. This reverse variation suits all positions on the bar—close, middle, or wide.
Common Mistakes During Lat Pulldown
Started lat pulldown? Avoid these common errors to prevent strain or injury:
- Arching your back
- Using your forearms
- Holding the bar too wide
- Pulling down too far beyond
Perfect Your Lat Pulldown With Nexfit
The number of reps in a back workout routine depends on your experience level, the weight used, and strength. Seek expert advice in the best back workout gym to determine these crucial factors. Nexfit’s master trainers devote undivided attention to each candidate bringing out the best and the healthiest version of you!
