The lat pulldown is an exercise that works the Latissimus Dorsi muscles, commonly performed using a fixed-weight machine. It involves pulling down long handles against selected weight, working the shoulder and lat muscles. Good form is important to maximize benefits.
A lat pulldown is an exercise, usually performed with a fixed-weight machine, that works the Latissimus Dorsi, or “lat” muscles. Many weight training areas in the gym include a lat pulldown machine that helps users work and tone this muscle group through progressive resistance. Progressive resistance means adding weight to sets of repetitions in increments. The lat pulldown is ideal for strengthening the body and supporting a wide range of activities.
The lat pulldown involves lowering your arms from an extended position overhead. Many might assume that the latissimus dorsi muscle group is in the arms because of the way observers view the lat pulldown exercise. The “lats” are actually on the trunk or torso of the body. The latissimus dorsi is considered by some to be part of the core muscle area that provides the overall capacity of the body.
In a fixed weight pulldown, the participant sits on a seat. He or she then grabs a set of long handles several feet above the seat, so that the arms are extended. A specific amount of weight is selected by changing the location of a “fixed pin”. The user pulls the handles down, working against the selected weight. This action works the lat muscles and a few other muscle groups.
According to fitness experts, the main function of the lats is to support the actions of the shoulder joint. That’s why a lat pulldown makes sense, because the action of pulling down on the handles works the shoulder and, by extension, the latissimus dorsi down the body. This exercise is an illustration of how action on one part of the body can have an effect on a larger region of the body. Trainers can use the example of a lat pull-up or latissimus dorsi exercise to show how various areas of the body are intrinsically interconnected.
There are a few different types of lat pulldown equipment. Two of the main ones are fixed arm machines, where a steel beam provides stability for the pulling action, and a freer cable type machine, where the user must be careful to keep their actions within a certain range. Good form is important for a pulldown. Trainers often make sure their clients understand how doing the exercise incorrectly can minimize some of its benefits. In a pulldown exercise, your back should be straight and the action should follow a trajectory that puts the correct pressure on your muscle groups and shoulders.
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