Lat Pulldown Machine vs Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,903 sessions vs 917. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown Machine and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Lat Pulldown Machine vs Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,903 sessions compared to 917 for Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown Machine and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Lat Pulldown Machine and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown Machine | Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | pin-loaded | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,903 sessions | 917 sessions |
How to Do Lat Pulldown Machine
Lat Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull the grip up to the collarbone position.
- 4. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise along with it.
For a full Lat Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lat Pulldown Machine exercise guide.
How to Do Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Lower your elbows while facing forward.
- 2. Pull the bar until it touches your collarbone.
- 3. Slowly raise your arms to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise up.
For a full Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown Machine or Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,903 sessions against 917 for Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Lat Pulldown Machine and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown need?
Lat Pulldown Machine needs a machine, and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Lat Pulldown Machine once your form holds up.
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