Straight-Arm Pulldown

Build powerful lats with this cable-based pulldown variation.

The Straight-Arm Pulldown is a great option for users of the FitnessTracker app looking to isolate the lats without overloading the arms. It’s ideal for improving posture, wing-span strength, and lat definition.

Instructions

  1. Attach a wide grip bar to the top pulley of a cable machine and step back 1–2 feet with a shoulder-width grip.
  2. Hinge at the hips about 30 degrees, keeping your arms fully extended in front of you with a soft bend in the elbows.
  3. Brace your core and contract your lats to pull the bar downward in a wide arc until your hands are next to your thighs.
  4. Pause briefly at the bottom, then slowly return to the start under control.
  5. Repeat for the desired number of reps while keeping tension on your lats throughout the movement.

Related Muscle Groups