Appears in642 Workouts*

Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown

Strengthen your back with Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldowns. Target your lats with this classic exercise!

The Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown is a compound exercise that mainly works the back, with help from the shoulders and traps. You'll need: wide bar attachment or cable machine.

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Required Equipment

Cable Machine
Cable Machine
Wide Bar Attachment
Wide Bar Attachment

Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown Muscles Worked

Primary

Lats (latissimus dorsi); Rhomboids (Shoulder Blade) (rhomboids, major & minor)

Secondary

Rear Shoulder (Delts) (posterior deltoid); Upper Traps (trapezius, upper fibers)

How to do the Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown

  1. Adjust the thigh pad of the lat pulldown machine so that your thighs are securely held in place.

  2. Select an appropriate weight on the stack and attach a wide-grip bar to the cable.

  3. Sit down on the machine bench and grasp the bar with a wide overhand grip (hands should be more than shoulder-width apart).

  4. Extend your arms fully above your head, keeping your back straight and a slight arch in your lower back.

  5. Exhale and pull the bar down smoothly to the back of your neck while keeping your chest lifted and your elbows pointed out to the sides. Avoid jerking the weight or using momentum.

  6. Pause briefly at the bottom position with the bar close to or lightly touching the back of your neck.

  7. Inhale as you slowly allow the bar to return to the starting position with your arms fully extended while maintaining controlled movement throughout.

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

Safety and Variation Tips: Keep the movement controlled to focus on the muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Ensure the weight is not too heavy to avoid excessive strain on the shoulders. If there is discomfort performing the exercise behind the neck, you can perform the pulldown to the front of your chest instead, which is typically safer for the shoulder joints. Keep your core engaged to stabilize your body throughout the exercise. Avoid swinging or leaning back to pull the weight; the motion should come from your arms and back muscles.

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Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown FAQs

What muscles does the Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown work?

The Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown mainly works the back, with help from the shoulders and traps. The main muscles are the latissimus dorsi and rhomboids.

What equipment do you need for the Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown?

Wide bar attachment or cable machine.

Is the Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear 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 Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown go on?

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

What are some Cable Wide-Grip Behind-Neck Rear Pulldown variations and alternatives?

Similar exercises include the Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown, Cable Close-Grip Lat Pulldown, Cable Full-Range Lat Pulldown and Cable V-Bar Lateral Pulldown.

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