Machine Lat Pulldown

The pulldown on a plate-loaded machine with a chest pad instead of a thigh brace.

Machine Lat Pulldown, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

Chest against the pad, hands on the high handles, arms long.

Steps

  1. Pull the handles down, elbows to the ribs.
  2. Squeeze the lats at the bottom.
  3. Return to the full stretch under control.

Common mistakes

Pushing off the chest pad: it braces, you pull. Shrugging at the stretch: let the blades rise, not the shoulders into the ears. Stack bouncing: slow turnarounds.

Breathing

Exhale pulling down, inhale returning.