Lat Pulldown Machine

If I had to explain what lat pulldown or lat pulldown machine exercises are, then I'd say - the exercises are performed to develop and put stress on your latissimus dorsi muscles (a.k.a. Lat). The workout asks you to utilize 2 joints, elbow and shoulder. Once the workout is done in full motion, you can feel your biceps muscles and your middle back muscles working as well. To picture this workout, you can imagine doing chin-ups where your arms would be doing all the pulling. Similar to this movement, the machine helps work the muscles. And to help you work the right muscles, in our article, we will be going over some workouts. Whether you want to purchase a machine for your home gym or are searching for just the exercises, the following article has the complete information.

Machines for Sale

There are many fitness equipment available in departmental and fitness stores, and selecting one for your home can be slightly confusing. Well, we have taken the confusing part out and made a list of some top rated machines available in market today. Take a look.

Motion Fitness Olympic Lat Pulldown Machine
The plates of this machine don't trouble you with frictions and they glide easily inside the frame. The angles are maintained throughout the workout and don't put stress on any muscles. The machine can be used by people with various heights and it comes with lower and upper lat bars. This machine will cost you anywhere between US $250 to US $350.

Deltech Fitness Lat Pulldown Machine
The chrome plates make for a smooth glide during the workouts and there are no jerky movements. You can easily do lat pulls, tricep extensions, and low row exercises on this equipment. This machine will cost you anywhere between US $300 to US $400.

Body Solid SLM300G-2 LAT Machine
This is a slightly bigger lat equipment and is ideal for a club house or gym. The machine is equipped with a pulley on top which provides isolation to your back and shoulder. The pulldown bars are extra-long and they can be used for narrow or wide grips. The thigh pads are customized to take on various body weights. This machine will cost you anywhere between US $1,300 to US $1,500.

Exercises You Can Perform

Now before we begin with the lat pulldown exercises, let me explain to you exactly which muscles are being workout upon. Along with the latissimus dorsi (on both sides of your spine), lat pulldowns help strengthen brachialis, brachioradialis, biceps brachii, pectoralis major, teres major and minor, posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, rhombodis, lower and middle trapezius, and levator scapulae. These are the muscles that are worked on during the workouts.

As we have that out of the way, now we can easily go through the lat pulldown workouts. Whether you are planning on purchasing the exercise equipment, you already own one, or maybe you'd like to do these exercises in the gym, the following workouts will give you clear instructions.

Exercise #1

• Sit on the seat available and place both hands on the pulldown bar.
• Hold the bar as wide as you can. Rest your thighs underneath the supports.
• Inhale and while exhaling, pull on the bar to bring it close to your chest.
• Make sure your forearms are not facing you and keep your back straight.
• Inhale and bring the bar back up to extend your arms and shoulders completely.
• Do 3-4 sets of 15. Increase the sets after a week.

Exercise #2

• Sit on the seat available and place both hands on the pulldown bar.
• Hold the bar at shoulder width apart and face your forearms inward.
• Rest your thighs underneath the supports.
• Inhale and while exhaling, pull on the bar to bring it close to your chest.
• Here the elbows will come on your sides. Keep your back straight.
• Inhale and bring the bar back up to extend your arms and shoulders completely.
• Do 3-4 sets of 15. Increase the sets after a week.

Exercise #3

• Sit on the seat available and place both hands on the pulldown bar.
• Hold the bar at shoulder width apart and face your forearms inward.
• Rest your things underneath the supports.
• Inhale and while exhaling, pull on the bar to bring it behind your neck.
• Here the elbows will come on your sides. Keep your back straight and slightly lower your head.
• Inhale and bring the bar back up to extend your arms and shoulders completely.
• Do 3-4 sets of 15. Increase the sets after a week.

Exercise #4

• Change the attachments on the machine to parallel cable.
• Hold with both hands and face your forearms towards each other.
• Inhale and while exhaling, pull on the attachment to bring it towards your chest.
• Keep your back straight. Inhale and bring the bar back up to extend your arms and shoulders completely.
• Do 3-4 sets of 15. Increase the sets after a week.

These were some instructions for the exercises you can perform. The lat exercises are easy to perform and can be done in your home and in the gym. These back exercises are the perfect way to strengthen and tone your upper body. If you are planning on purchasing a machine, you can visit any sporting stores to find the right one for you. Talk to your fitness instructor to exchange some suggestions as to which machine would be ideal for you.