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Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown
A pulldown performed on the crossover with a handle in each hand pulled down and across, giving the lats a longer arc and stronger peak contraction than a straight bar.
BackCableVertical pull
GoLightWeight mediacable-cross-over-lateral-pulldown
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Latissimus dorsi
Secondary
Teres majorBicepsRear deltoidsLower trapezius
Equipment
Cable
Pattern
Vertical pull
Setup
- 01Set both pulleys of a crossover station to the highest position with single handles.
- 02Grip the left handle with the right hand and the right handle with the left hand so the cables cross.
- 03Kneel or sit centered between the towers with arms extended up and out.
- 04Lift the chest and brace the trunk.
Execution
- 01Pull both handles down and across toward the sides of the ribs.
- 02Drive the elbows toward the hips as the cables cross in front of the chest.
- 03Squeeze the lats hard when the hands reach the lower ribs.
- 04Let the arms travel back up and out under control to a full overhead stretch.
Checkpoints
- -Cables stay crossed for the entire set.
- -Elbows lead the movement, with the hands finishing near the ribs.
- -Torso stays upright without swinging.
- -Each rep reaches a full stretch with arms extended at the top.
Common mistakes
- -Turning the movement into a biceps curl by breaking at the elbows first.
- -Leaning back and rowing the handles instead of pulling downward.
- -Cutting the top range short and losing the stretch.
- -Loading so heavy the crossing path collapses into a straight pull.
Programming notes
- -Use 2 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps as a lat isolation movement after heavy pulldowns or pull-ups.
- -Moderate loads with a 1 to 2 second squeeze at the bottom work better than maximal weight.
- -Good finisher for width-focused back sessions.
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