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Straight-Arm Cable Pulldown

StrengthIntermediateCable

What this trains

Front and back view. The highlighted part is where this exercise works most; paler areas are helpers.

Targets: Lats

Primary: Lats

Secondary: Triceps, Middle Back

How to

  1. 1Attach a straight bar or rope to a high pulley, step back and hold it at head height with your arms nearly straight and a slight forward lean.
  2. 2Pull the bar down in an arc to your thighs, keeping your arms straight and leading with your elbows.
  3. 3Squeeze your lats at the bottom, then let the bar rise back up slowly under control.
  4. 4Do not bend your elbows to turn it into a triceps pushdown, and keep your ribs down.