Appears in642 Workouts*

Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown

Strengthen your back! The Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown isolates your lats for a more sculpted and powerful physique.

The Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown is a compound exercise that mainly works the back and traps. You'll need: straight bar attachment or cable machine.

Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown demo video 2
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Required Equipment

Cable Machine
Cable Machine
Straight Bar Attachment
Straight Bar Attachment

Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown Muscles Worked

Primary

Lats (latissimus dorsi); Mid Traps (trapezius, middle fibers); Upper Traps (trapezius, upper fibers)

Secondary

Rhomboids (Shoulder Blade) (rhomboids, major & minor); Outer Lats (teres major); Boxer Muscle (serratus anterior)

How to do the Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown

  1. Position the cable machine pulley to a high setting and attach a straight bar.

  2. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet hip-width apart for stability.

  3. Grip the bar with both hands using an overhand grip (palms facing down) at or just outside shoulder-width apart.

  4. Lean forward slightly from the hips, keeping your back straight and a slight bend in your knees.

  5. With your arms fully extended, pull the bar down smoothly toward your thighs, keeping your arms straight throughout the motion.

  6. As you pull the bar down, focus on using your lats to perform the movement while keeping your chest out and core engaged.

  7. Slowly return the bar to the starting position with a controlled movement, allowing your lats to fully stretch.

  8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets.

It's important to avoid using momentum or swinging, as this can reduce the effectiveness of the exercise and increase your risk of injury. Keep the exercise controlled and focus on the mind-muscle connection with your lats to get the most out of each repetition.

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Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown FAQs

What muscles does the Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown work?

The Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown mainly works the back and traps. The main muscles are the latissimus dorsi and trapezius.

What equipment do you need for the Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown?

Straight bar attachment or cable machine.

Is the Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown a compound exercise?

Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.

What workout day should the Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown go on?

It belongs on pull day in a push/pull/legs routine.

What are some Cable Straight-Arm Pulldown variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Cable Lateral Pulldown with Grip Mag, Cable Standing Pulldown, Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown and Cable Close-Grip Lat Pulldown.

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