Isolate Your Lats With Upside Down Bar Pulldowns

To maximize lat isolation when doing pulldowns, we're going to change things up just a little bit in terms of how you grip the bar. Very simply, you're going to turn it upside down so that the angled ends are pointing UP instead of down.

 



 


 

This method was a favorite of former Mr. Olympia, Larry Scott.

You will obviously need a bar that has the ability to rotate like that. Then you're going to grip on those angled handles so that your hands are tilted down towards your head. This helps to minimize upper arm flexor involvement.

 

How to Best Isolate The Lats With This Pulldown Variation...

When you perform the pulldown, you want to keep your torso vertical (don't lean back) so that you're minimizing upper back contribution (teres, rhomboids, middle traps, etc.).

As well, instead of focusing on pulling down, you want to imagine as though you're trying pull OUTWARDS on those angled handles and pushing your elbows towards the ground.

We're doing this one for feel and tension rather than for heavy weight so be sure to lighten the load for this.

You'll see in the video, I use a two-part movement where at the top, I allow my shoulder girdle to elevate, then I begin the movement by bringing the shoulder girdle down...then I lock it in place....THEN I perform the pulldown part.

Isolate Your Lats With Upside Down Bar Pulldowns Start

Isolate Your Lats With Upside Down Bar Pulldowns Drop Shoulder Girdle

I find this to be more effective for isolating the lats and really forcing them to work.

Isolate Your Lats With Upside Down Bar Pulldowns

Isolate Your Lats With Upside Down Bar Pulldowns Bottom

Do this exercise for sets of 8-12 reps (or more). Don't go for low reps or heavy weight for this.

And even though I'm doing this kneeling with a high pulley, you can use a regular pulldown machine for it. I don't have a pulldown machine, which is why I do pulldowns like this.

If you'd like to try a killer variation of the pull-up for lat width, try the Two Vertical Bar Pull-Up.

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Want more unique and challenging exercises to work your entire body with simple equipment? All you need is just a barbell, dumbbells and a bench. Check out The Best Home Gym Exercises You've Never Heard Of!

 

 

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