Straight-arm cable pulldown

High cable, bar or rope

Also called straight arm pulldown

Stand facing a high cable with arms nearly straight and hands on the bar, then pull it down in an arc to the thighs and let it return slowly.

Movement

Main movers get full credit for a set, helpers half.

Upper body

Scores 1-5 averaged over sources. Tap a rating for the claims behind it. Claims are our summaries of the linked sources, fact-checked by AI.

Muscle growth higher is better4.0
Very good; among the better picks for the muscle. 2 sources.
- 4/5 Rated excellent when done with a controlled stretch and no hipping; grips can be rotated to keep it fresh. Renaissance Periodization, Lat Pulldown Flaws and Better Back Exercises to Consider @ 11:17videoExpert opinion2024checked by AI
- 4/5 Huge lat stretch when bent forward and strong mind-muscle link without total-body fatigue; harder to overload and triceps may take over. Jeff Nippard, The Best And Worst Back Exercises (Ranked By Science) @ 10:12videoExpert opinion2024checked by AI
Loaded stretch higher is better5.0
Peak tension at a deep stretch. 1 source.
- 5/5 Hardest and highest tension in the lengthened position and easiest at contraction, near ideal biomechanics. Renaissance Periodization, Lat Pulldown Flaws and Better Back Exercises to Consider @ 9:46videoExpert opinion2024checked by AI