Lat Pulldown vs Lat Pulldown Machine
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 2,913. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown and Lat Pulldown Machine and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Lat Pulldown vs Lat Pulldown Machine: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions compared to 2,913 for Lat Pulldown Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown and Lat Pulldown Machine 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 and Lat Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Lat Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | cable-driven | pin-loaded |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 2,913 sessions |
How to Do Lat Pulldown
Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull until the bar touches your collarbone.
- 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.
For a full Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Lat Pulldown Machine?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 2,913 for Lat Pulldown Machine. 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 and Lat Pulldown Machine need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Lat Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Lat Pulldown Machine once your form holds up.
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