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Cable Lateral Pulldown (With Rope Attachment)
A lat pulldown using a rope attachment, letting the hands travel in a neutral grip and finish apart for a deeper elbow path and stronger peak contraction.
BackCableVertical pull
GoLightWeight mediacable-lateral-pulldown-with-rope-attachment
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
Latissimus dorsi
Secondary
Lower trapeziusRhomboidsBicepsRear deltoids
Equipment
Cable
Pattern
Vertical pull
Setup
- 01Attach a rope to the high pulley at a pulldown or tall cable station.
- 02Grip the rope ends with a neutral grip, thumbs toward the ceiling.
- 03Sit or half-kneel with the arms extended overhead and the cable taut.
- 04Lean back slightly and lift the chest.
Execution
- 01Pull the rope down by driving the elbows toward the hips.
- 02Split the rope ends apart as the hands pass the face.
- 03Finish with the hands beside the upper chest and the lats fully squeezed.
- 04Return overhead under control to a full stretch.
Checkpoints
- -Rope ends travel apart at the bottom instead of staying pinned together.
- -Elbows stay in front of the body line, driving down rather than backward.
- -Torso angle stays fixed through the set.
- -Full overhead stretch at the top of every rep.
Common mistakes
- -Keeping the hands jammed together and cutting the finish range.
- -Curling the rope down with the biceps instead of leading with the elbows.
- -Rocking the torso backward to heave the load.
- -Using a weight that prevents a controlled return overhead.
Programming notes
- -Use 2 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps; the rope suits moderate loads with a hard 1-second squeeze.
- -Good option for lifters whose wrists or elbows complain on straight-bar pulldowns.
- -Pairs well after a heavier bar pulldown as a contraction-focused second exercise.
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