Lat Pulldown

Seated, pull the wide bar to the upper chest, driving the elbows down; let it rise with control.

Lat Pulldown, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Sit with the thighs under the pads, wide overhand grip on the bar; chest tall, slight lean back.

Steps

  1. Start the pull by drawing the shoulder blades down.
  2. Pull the bar to the upper chest, elbows down and back.
  3. Let the bar rise slowly to fully stretched arms.

Common mistakes

Leaning way back and rowing: keep the small lean fixed; it is a vertical pull. Pulling behind the neck: to the chest, always. Arms finishing the rep alone: the blades start and the lats carry.

Breathing

Exhale on the pull, inhale on the return.