Is the lat pull down machine good for anything?

Brampton_Boy · 06-06-2007, 02:01 AM

As the title aptly states, I am curious as to whether it is ever ok to use the lat pull down station in place of regular pullups.

The predicament I am in is that my gym has only one pull up station, which is unfortunately attached to the middle of the cable cross over. As a result, I have to wait forever before I can do pullups, and I am actually admonished by gym staff for taking too long (apparently others want to do their chest flies).

Thanks for the advice.

ghostwipe · 06-06-2007, 02:06 AM

I like to put it on the heaviest setting, get a friend to help me get it down to the seat, and then slingshot into the air.

Serious response: BORs, seated rows, and--fuck the staff--pullups. Even better, change gyms.

**SmashiusClay** · 06-06-2007, 04:47 AM

Towel looped over top of powerrack = towel pullups, plus they fry your grip.

Zerocrew1984 · 06-06-2007, 05:31 AM

I heard the lat pull down benches are great for GHR's

tankus · 06-06-2007, 05:42 AM

lat pull downs have a purpose...to warm up, to pre-exhaust, to isolate your lats..to burn out at the end of your workout..theyve never been a staple in my training or anyhting..but they are a good cable exercise for isolated stimulation of your back...try doing a few sets of those to failure THEN going to bar or dumbell rows..it will kick your ass.

ghostwipe · 06-06-2007, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankus

lat pull downs have a purpose...to pre-exhaust.

I'm not sure what the point of this would be. Why not just go heavier on rows?

**XTrainer** · 06-06-2007, 07:41 AM

Pre-exhausting muscles is more of a bodybuilding technique. For example, performing chest flyes before you bench press so your triceps have to work harder when you bench.

Lame...

tankus · 06-06-2007, 08:23 AM

pre exhaust tests your endurance and strength..they have a place in any sport...its an especially good technique if you are still recovering from a previous workout and want to exercise efficiently without using as much weight as you normally would.
what im saying the lat pulldown is good for basically, is a warm up, or burn out..its not a staple in your back routine, but it has definate value and is definately not a waste of time.