One of the most well-known exercises performed in the gym, the lat pulldown is second only to the bench press in terms of popularity. It is an essential exercise for people who wish to improve the size of the muscles in their back and work toward attaining the V-shaped back that is coveted by bodybuilders, weightlifters, and people who are just interested in fitness in general. In here we are going to explorer about what are the kind of lat pulldown workouts, how to do lat pulldown workout and what are the benefits of it.
Altering the grip that you have on the handle is the only change that is required for you to carry out the exercise’s myriad permutations; the rest of the exercise remains the same.
In addition, you may change the exercise so that it works your back in a variety of different ways, and you can alter it so that it is at a level that is comfortable for you.
However, because of its widespread use and versatility, it is frequently carried out in an inappropriate manner or in a way that is likely to result in more harm than good. Keep in mind that proper form is extremely important, especially while increasing the amount of weight that you are lifting.
When you go to the gym in the future, here is all you need to know to perform the lat pulldown in a way that is both safe and successful
The Advantages Of Performing A Lat Pulldown.
If you have trouble executing pullups or chinups, or if you are training to get to the point where you can complete them, then this exercise is a perfect substitute for those exercises.
Pullups engage some of the same muscles that are activated when performing a lat pulldown, albeit to a lesser degree.
Additionally, because you are seated while performing the lat pulldown, you are able to engage your abdominal muscles and hip flexors to stabilize your body as you work through the exercise. In point of fact, a prior study discovered that the pulldown worked the abdominals more than the pullup did.
The lat pulldown is beneficial for athletes competing in a wide variety of sports that demand a pulling motion, including swimming, gymnastics, wrestling, and cross-country skiing, amongst others.
The Lat Pulldown Engages A Variety Of Muscles.
The overhead pulling motion of the lat pulldown engages multiple essential muscles in the back, shoulders, and arms. This is one of the reasons why the lat pulldown is such a prominent and significant exercise.
The latissimus dorsi muscles, also known as lats, are the “wing” muscles that are visible on the back of someone who has a well-defined physique. In addition to being the largest muscles in your back, they are the primary movers in the multi-joint exercise that you are performing.
The lats are a large muscle group that go from the middle and lower spine, the top of the pelvis, the lower ribs, and the lower scapula all the way up to the front of the humerus, where they enter (upper arm bone).
The extension of the arm, adduction of the shoulder, horizontal abduction, and internal rotation of the forearm are all controlled by the lats. In a climbing motion, the lats are responsible for pulling the body upward toward the arm when it is fixed overhead.
In addition, the lats help in breathing and may even play a role in the lateral flexion and extension of the lumbar spine.
During this exercise, in addition to the lats, a large number of other muscles, including the, function in a synergistic or simultaneous manner.
- Pectoralis major.
- The muscles of the lower and middle trapezius.
- Brachialis.
- Brachioradialis.
- Teres major.
- Rhomboids.
- Biceps brachii.
- Infraspinatus.
- Muscles that flex the wrist and the hand.
- Abdominals.
Altering the way in which you grasp the bar while performing this difficult exercise will allow you to target a variety of different muscle groups.
Instructions On How To Perform The Lat Pulldown.
- To begin, take a seat at a lat pull machine with your back to the bar. You should adjust the knee pad so that your knees are bent at an angle of ninety degrees and firmly under the pad, and your feet should be placed in a planted position on the floor.
- Extend your arm up and grab the bar with your hands slightly wider than shoulder width apart. Extend your arms as far as you possibly can without putting any strain on your shoulders or getting up from your seat.
- You should strive to get the bar to a point just below your collarbone when you pull it down toward your upper chest. As you bring the bar down, you should imagine bringing your elbows and shoulder blades down and back as you do so. Maintain an upright posture with a tiny rearward lean, at an angle of 70–80 degrees, slightly past the vertical.
- Maintain a one-to-two second hold with the bar at the middle to upper part of your chest while drawing your shoulder blades back and down.
- Return to the starting location in a slow and steady manner. It is important to keep in mind that you should not shrug your shoulders at the very top of the action.
- Perform two to three sets of eight to ten repetitions.
Tips For Doing Workouts
- While you are pulling down, maintain solid control, and make an effort not to lean back too far.
- As you pull down, you should make sure to keep your back straight and avoid arching or rounding it. Because of this, the possibility of getting hurt is increased.
- Reduce the amount of weight you are lifting if you are unable to keep a neutral spine or appropriate technique.
What Are The Various Lat Pulldown Exercise?
Close-Grip Hand Position
A “close grip” refers to any hand posture that is narrower than the width of the shoulder. You can accomplish this movement with a traditional lat pulldown bar or with the handlebars that you would normally use to perform a row. In the variation that is going to be explained below, you will be using your biceps brachii muscle more.
If pulling down causes you to have pain in your forearms or if you are short on time but still want to strengthen your biceps with a compound exercise, this variation is a fantastic choice.
- To begin, assume the starting position for a lat pulldown by sitting in a normal position.
- Put your hands in a position where they are close to the center, which is where the cable attaches. Supinate your grasp on the bar so that it faces you (palms facing you).
- To perform this exercise, draw the bar down toward your collarbone while concentrating on bringing your elbows and shoulder blades closer together. You should be able to feel a greater activation in your biceps when you perform this version.
Perform the exercise in the same manner as described above if you have access to a rowing bar. You will be able to pull the weight through a broader range of motion if you use this bar, which is one of the advantages of using it.
Wide-Grip Hand Position
The term “wide grip” refers to any position in which the hands are positioned on a standard bar in the furthest outward position feasible (wider than shoulder width).
Because the major movement of this variation is adduction of the arm rather than adduction plus extension, it places greater emphasis on the latissimus dorsi and triceps than it does on the biceps.
- Carry out this variation in the same manner as you would the lat pulldown using the regular grip. It’s possible that you prefer pulling to your middle chest.
- You will need to reduce the weight in order to enable a broader range of motion, and this is something you should prioritize. It is essential that you pay attention to your posture in order to compensate for the minor mechanical disadvantage that this variation presents.
Straight-arm lat pulldown
When compared to the other variants, this one places a considerably greater emphasis on isolating the lats. Additionally, it transforms the workout from one that uses multiple joints into one that uses only one joint at the shoulders.
- Place your feet shoulder-width apart and face the cable pulley while you are standing there. Take a grip on the bar with your hands that are just broader than your shoulder width, and bend your knees just a little bit.
- Maintain a straight elbow position and concentrate on bringing the bar down to your hips. Maintain the height of your trunk, and keep your head held high.
- Keep your shoulder blades back and down as you hold this position for one to two seconds. Returning slowly to the starting point overhead is recommended.
Lat Pulldowns With A Resistance Band
Because it takes nothing more than a resistance band and a means to anchor it overhead, this variation is great for doing out at home because it doesn’t take up much space. You have the option of kneeling or standing, depending on the location of your anchor point.
This variation can also be performed while lying on your back, with the band fastened to a stable and stationary position above and behind the crown of your head. Another option is to perform the exercise with your legs crossed behind your head.
You can execute this exercise in the same manner as the version with straight arms described previously, or you can bend your elbows and pull your arms to the sides of your body instead.
The Conclusion
The lat pulldown is an excellent exercise for targeting your lats, but it also trains a wide variety of other muscles that act in conjunction with your lats to extend and adduct your arms.
When you are not yet strong enough to complete a pullup without help, it provides an alternative exercise that you can do instead. In addition to that, it is an effective complement to the pullup.
This exercise can be performed in a variety of ways, each of which will target a new set of muscles and keep it from becoming monotonous. If you’ve been doing the exercise in the same manner for a time, switching up your grip will allow you to experience the difference it makes in the intensity of the workout.
FAQs.
How many Lat pull downs should I do?
To begin, program anywhere from three to five sets of 10-15 repetitions with moderate to heavy weights OR two to four sets of 15-25 repetitions with moderate loads to near failure, keeping rest intervals anywhere from 45 to 90 seconds. If you want to have a back that is completely grown, you should execute greater lat pulldowns on the third training day.
What’s better lat pulldowns or pull-ups?
Which Exercise is Better? In comparison to pull-downs, pull-ups are typically superior in terms of their ability to build strength. Pull-down workouts, on the other hand, are better for developing your general strength, but lat pull-downs are effective for building muscle in the back regardless of your experience level as a bodybuilder.
What are the benefits of lat pulldown?
The latissimus dorsi is the largest muscle in your back and the latissimus pulldown is an excellent exercise for strengthening it. A strong latissimus dorsi encourages good posture and maintains spinal stability. When executing a lat pulldown, proper technique is absolutely necessary to both avoid injury and get optimal outcomes.
How many calories burned doing lat pulldowns?
You will be challenged in a variety of ways by each of these, which will keep the workouts interesting thanks to the variety. Around 50 calories will be burned if you perform four sets of a lat pulldown with a wide grip and put forth a moderate amount of effort.