The lat pull-down is a compound strength training exercise that targets the latissimus dorsi muscle. A lat pull-down alternative is a replacement move that exercises the same muscle group with a similar movement.
Few exercises target the latissimus dorsi muscles as effectively as the lat pull-down. Finding a suitable lat pull-down substitute is crucial to completing a workout routine, whether at the gym or at home.
Training at home with an alternative to the lat pull-down is one reason why a replacement move would be necessary. Lat pull-down alternatives at home should concentrate on the same primary muscle groups as regular lat pull-down targets.
- Latissimus dorsi
- Rhomboids
- Trapezius
- Biceps
There are 12 alternatives to the lat pull-down that effectively work the right muscle groups, making them popular replacements for the lat pull-down. Alternatives focus on all four muscle groups with similar or higher intensity. The priority is the latissimus dorsi.
1. Bent Over Pulldown
The bent-over pull-down alternates focus on the latissimus dorsi muscles. It’s a suitable alternative to the lat pull-down for any fitness level.
The bent-over pull-down is an isolation exercise for adult men and women. It works as a straight arm lat pull-down alternative. Focusing on the back muscles, it also works the pectoralis, triceps, posterior deltoid, rhomboids, obliques, and rectus abdominis.
The bent-over pull-down improves stability for deadlifts and other heavy lifting movements.
Performing the bent-over pull-down requires a stable core to prevent injury to the lower back. Keeping proper form as you engage the lats is moderately complex. Maintain a neutral stance with knees bent.
The one-arm bent-over pull-down is a bent-over pull-down alternate that engages the same muscle groups as a standing lat pull-down or a lat cable pull-down.
2. Pulls-Ups
The pull-up is a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses on the latissimus dorsi. It also works other upper back muscles, the lower and middle trapezius, rhomboids, and teres major.
A pull-up is a moderately strenuous exercise, useful for men and women of all ages. Pull-up alternatives use a chair under your feet to assist as you pull yourself up or use bands hung above the head to mimic the pull-up motion.
The pull-up and pull-up alternatives utilize the back muscles in a focused way and the abdominal and chest muscles. Biceps are secondary.
Avoid letting your elbows flare, a common mistake when doing pull-ups. Flaring elbows means less back stimulation and poor-quality movement.
Maintain shoulder control throughout the movement. Not setting your shoulders will make the exercise less effective.
3. Chin Up
The chin up is a lat pull-down alternative that focuses on the biceps and the upper back muscles. It is an effective close grip pull-down alternative and is easier than the pull-up.
The chin-up is suitable for beginner-level workouts. Chin-up alternatives include using bands or placing a chair beneath your feet.
A chin-up is an effective workout for men and women of all ages.
One common mistake with the chin up is not engaging the shoulders. To get the full effect of the movement, extend your arms at the bottom of the action and pull your chin past the bar.
4. Bent-Over Barbell Rows
Bent-over barbell rows are a lat pull-down alternate focusing on the lat muscles, the rhomboids, the mid and lower traps, and the posterior deltoid. Bent-over barbell rows are suitable for beginners, experts, bodybuilders, and athletes.
Bent-over barbell rows specifically target the lats. This alternative works in place of the lat pull-down when a pull-down machine is unavailable or when heavier weight is desired for the exercise.
The bent-over barbell row focuses on the lats heavily because of the position and motion. This exercise is helpful for adult men and women, requiring some strength to perform effectively. Avoid rounding your lower back when performing the bent-over barbell rows to keep yourself from injury.
The bent-over barbell row workout primarily targets the back. To get the full benefit of the movement, avoid flexing your biceps. When you pull the barbell up, don’t rise with the bar. Keep your bent-over position throughout the exercise.
A dumbbell bent-over row is an alternate to the bent-over barbell row. The dumbbell bent-over row is useful if you need less weight on the bent-over row or if barbells are unavailable.
5. ISO Lateral High Row (Weight Loaded)
The ISO lateral high row is a lat pull-down alternative that focuses specifically on the latissimus dorsi muscles and the biceps. This isolation exercise is effective for weightlifters of all fitness levels looking to build strength or improve athleticism.
The ISO lateral high row movement is performed on a machine that requires you to pull two handles that are weight-loaded down in front of you.
The movement targets the back and simultaneously works the biceps. Executed with proper form, this is an intermediate exercise that benefits all fitness levels.
Keeping your core tight and your lat muscles engaged, perform the movement with stability. Avoid overarching your back at the top of the movement.
Few alternatives exist for the ISO lateral high row. A cable row pull-down, single-arm or with both arms, is an ISO lateral high row alternative.
6. Kneeling Cable Crossover Lat Pulldown
Kneeling cable crossover lat pull-downs are a wide grip lat pull-down alternate focusing on the lat muscles, the rhomboids, and the mid and lower traps. Kneeling cable crossover lat pull-downs are good for adult men and women with intermediate exercise experience.
Kneeling cable crossover lat pull-downs target the lats. This alternative works in place of the lat pull-down when you want to mimic the way your body moves during a pull-up.
Kneeling cable crossover lat pull-downs focus on the lats as well as the biceps.
When performing the kneeling cable crossover lat pull-downs, keep the handles in front of your body as you pull them down. Pulling them behind your head and neck puts you at risk of injury.
Bring your elbows down to your sides. Then hold the position for a moment before returning to the top of the movement.
Kneeling cable crossover lat pull-downs have one primary alternative version. A kneeling cable crossover lat pull-down with one arm at a time is an alternative that effectively targets the same muscle groups.
7. Swimmers or Straight-Arm Pulldown
The swimmers or straight-arm pull-down is a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses on the latissimus dorsi. They are useful for adult men and women with intermediate workout experience.
In proper form, they are moderately difficult to complete. Replace lat pull-downs when you can’t feel your lats engaging correctly during the exercise.
Straight-arm pull-downs utilize the lat muscles in a focused way and the abdominal and chest muscles. Keeping your core stable and your frame straight is essential.
A common mistake in the straight-arm pull-down is bending at the elbows. Avoid letting your elbows flare, a common mistake leading to the lat muscles disengaging.
Stop the exercise if you rely entirely on your arms. This can lead to injury. Focus on using your lats as the primary means of completion for this movement.
Straight-arm pull-downs have a few alternative versions. A single, straight-arm pull-down is an alternative for the straight-arm pull-down.
8. Dumbbell Pullover
The dumbbell pullover is a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses on the latissimus dorsi, the pectoralis major, and the serratus muscle. They are useful for adult men and women with intermediate workout experience.
In proper form, they are challenging to complete and replace lat pull-downs when you need to engage the serratus muscles on the side of your rib cage.
A common mistake in the dumbbell pullover is using a weight that is too light.
Make sure your torso stays straight throughout the movement to keep proper form. Avoid bending at the elbows as you lower the weight back to the starting position.
Dumbbell pullovers have a few alternative versions. A straight-arm cable pull-down is an alternative for the dumbbell pullover.
9. Chest Supported Incline Dumbbell Row
The chest-supported incline dumbbell row is a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses on the latissimus dorsi, biceps, rhomboids, and trapezius. They are for experienced adult men and women who want to increase pulling strength.
In proper form, they are difficult to complete. As an alternate to lat pull-downs, this movement relaxes the back and core and allows you to focus on form.
A common mistake in the chest-supported incline dumbbell row is relying on your biceps. This move works the biceps but primarily depends on back strength.
To keep proper form, avoid swinging your arms for momentum and keep your neck aligned with your spine.
Chest-supported incline dumbbell rows have few alternative versions. A single-arm dumbbell row is a difficult alternative. The bent-over dumbbell row is an alternate move that allows for lower weight.
10. Kroc Rows
Kroc rows are a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses on the latissimus dorsi, rhomboids, and trapezius. They are useful for experienced adult men and women.
In proper form, they are challenging to complete. This movement depends on heavyweight for maximum engagement.
Kroc rows engage the upper back muscles, the lats, traps, and rhomboids. They depend on the legs.
A weak grip is a common mistake with the Kroc row. Straps will help if your grip is not strong.
To keep proper form and maximize the exercise, use heavy weights and rest between each set.
Kroc rows have few alternative versions. A single-arm bent-over dumbbell row is a difficult alternative for more support during the movement. A single-arm cable row is also an alternative.
11. T-Bar Row or Landmine T-Bar Rows
T-bar rows, or landmines T-bar rows, are a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses primarily on the latissimus dorsi. They are for experienced adult men and women who want to increase pulling strength and core stability.
In proper form, they are hard to complete. A lighter weight works best for beginners. The T-bar row engage the major back muscles. This is an intense movement requiring good.
A common mistake with the t-bar row is keeping straight legs. Bend at the knees and move up and down with the t-bar. To keep proper form, bend over as much as possible to target the lats. Grip attachments help even the stress of the movement.
Also, T-bar rows have few alternative versions. A banded row is an easier version of the t-barrow. A seated close-grip cable row mimics the T-bar movement, and the seated position offers joint relief.
12. Seated Cable Rows
The seated cable row is a lat pull-down alternate move that focuses primarily on the latissimus dorsi, biceps, rhomboids, and trapezius muscles. They are useful for adult men and women of all experience levels.
In proper form, they are moderately easy to complete. This movement focuses on core stability and back engagement as an alternative to lat pull-downs. The seated position transfers focus to upper body pulling strength. This move is effective for beginners.
A common mistake with the seated cable row is shrugging your shoulders at the top of the movement.
To keep proper form and maximize the exercise, keep your elbows tight against your body for the entirety of the movement. Always maintain a neutral back and keep your torso still.
Seated cable rows have few alternative versions. A banded row is an easier version. A single-arm cable row increases the intensity of the movement.
What should you know about the Lat Pull-Down Alternatives?
While lat pull-down alternatives engage the latissimus dorsi and other back muscles, they activate secondary muscles like the biceps, triceps, shoulders, and abdominal muscles. Not only do lat pull-downs provide variety, but they also are an effective workout.
Which Lat Pull-Down Alternative is best for a beginner?
The seated cable row is the best lat pull-down alternative for beginners. While the cable machine may intimidate the average beginner, it is actually quite simple to use. Simply sit down, and pull.
Which Lat Pull-Down Alternative is best to perform?
The pull-up is the best lat pull-down alternative to perform. While it is one of the most difficult exercises to perform in terms of effort exerted, it taxes the entire body and can be accomplished just about anywhere. The pull-up is issued by all types of athletes since both weight and assistance (bands) can be used.
Which Lat Pull-Down alternative movement is best?
The pull-up is the best lat pull-down alternative. Moving your own weight is an effective means of building muscle and functional strength. Beginners benefit from bodyweight exercises, and professional weightlifters can add weight to the movement for increased intensity.
What are the Lat Pull-down variations?
There are many exercises you can perform that will replace the lat pull-down entirely while still working the same muscles, there are also lat pull-down variations you can try as well. These lat pull-down variations are different ways in which you can perform a lat pull-down movement, that alters the exercise, and sometimes the muscles, in different way. The most popular lat pull-down variations are the overhand grip, wide grip and reverse grip.
