Behind the head Lat pulldowns

[taze13]

Can this really damage the rotator cuffs? I like this better than the regular one's but I also like moving my arms with no pain lol.

[theapexxxx]

it depends on a persons natural flexibility.
I personally can't do them. But if you can and it doesnt cause any pain then go for it.

[bigballin6161]

Dont do them!

[Rasputin4]

I don't see what utility they have when you can do them in front and not risk injury, not to mention many other exericises you can do for your lats.

[theapexxxx]

I don't see what utility they have when you can do them in front and not risk injury, not to mention many other exericises you can do for your lats.

Its just a way to hit your lats at a different angle.

[Rasputin4]

Yeah, but aren't there other movements to his your lats from all the beneficial angles without risking injury?

[theapexxxx]

hey, to each their own.

[broad.stance]

Dont do them!

Why?
Your argument against them is compelling but it doesn't really give him a reason.

[shaneee]

you risk injuring yourself with them but that's not saying you definitely will..i personally can do them without any pain or discomfort and have before but i usually dont, simply because i don't see how they're any better than in front of you lat pulldowns..besides that i normally only have pullups in my routine without lat pulldowns

[optimus1]

Ever see someone doing a pull-ups behind their head? Ever look at like every lat pulldown machine's diagram that has a big X over a picture of someone pulling them behind their head? But wtf do they know, go for it bro.

[taze13]

I don't see what utility they have when you can do them in front and not risk injury, not to mention many other exericises you can do for your lats.

It hits my lats and shoulders pretty good.

[Persi@n]

It hits my lats and shoulders pretty good.

i feel like it's always hitting my shoulders and biceps lmao.

[DaTruth1]

behind the neck positions your forearms at a more upright angle and works the inner back as well as the outer lats/teres. Do pullups du

[Tommy W.]

Your RC's will wake up at night amd beat you in the nuts with a baseball bat for doing those

[Teledin]

I don't like them as I really don't see that being an everyday functional exercise. The movement itself is just too unnatural for me, so I avoid them. Some people like them, other don't. If they are causing you any discomfort then back away from them.

[msm172021121]

Can this really damage the rotator cuffs? I like this better than the regular one's but I also like moving my arms with no pain lol.

there is absolutely no benefit to doing them behind your back. you need to pull down toward your chest, bringing the elbows in,keeping your chest out, aiming to touch your ribs with your elbows, and using a hooked finger grip rather than a full on closed fist grip which utilizes biceps too much. this is a lat exercise primarily, so focus mentally and physically on that lat contraction with each rep.

[msm172021121]

yes there is.

elaborate then genius

[PatFel]

behind the head push/pull = bad
- doesn't focus on targeted area, puts to much pressure on joints n stuff
- may feel fine, but stress builds up over time and there's no real benefit just do it in front of your head its better

[timberwolf]

I also disagree with saying that there's absolutely no benefit.

I do like to throw them in there once in awhile. Being aware that it can potentially put the rotators in a compromising position, its an exercise I definitely do not go heavy on and keep every rep controlled. And I won't take the bar below ear level.

[bigballin6161]

Anyone who recommends to do pulldowns behind the head has absolutely no idea what they are talking about...period.

[Litewatenatty]

i remember seeing this guy do them in a vid. what was his name?? oh yeah, Ronnie Coleman...seems to have worked well for him i actually rarely do them, but did them yesterday just to change it up. if you have good flexibility and go slowly, they work really well. i only went up to 150 lbs. and got a huge pump from them

[CBRage]

Anyone who recommends to do pulldowns behind the head has absolutely no idea what they are talking about...period.

Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman do them. Not to mention many other Pro Bodybuilders. The thing is, as someone already stated, there are no absolutes in weightlifting. As long as you are physically able to perform an exercise with precise form you are ok. As long as the guy isn't feeling pain or any kind of unusual strain on his shoulders/rotator cuffs and keeps to strict form he should be ok.

And no, I usually don't recommend this lift to people, because of the risk of injury, unless you know what you are doing and you are a more advanced lifter.

[Litewatenatty]

Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman do them. Not to mention many other Pro Bodybuilders. The thing is, as someone already stated, there are no absolutes in weightlifting. As long as you are physically able to perform an exercise with precise form you are ok. As long as the guy isn't feeling pain or any kind of unusual strain on his shoulders/rotator cuffs and keeps to strict form he should be ok.

And no, I usually don't recommend this lift to people, because of the risk of injury, unless you know what you are doing and you are a more advanced lifter.

yea exactly. i would hurt myself badly if i attempted to do a split, but some guys can do them just fine. all depends on flexibility and the way you are put together

[-Lucifer]

Anyone who recommends to do pulldowns behind the head has absolutely no idea what they are talking about...period.

LOLOLOL

lol
anyone who thinks there are absolutes in bodybuilding has no idea what they are talking about.... period.

This...

Jay Cutler and Ronnie Coleman do them. Not to mention many other Pro Bodybuilders. The thing is, as someone already stated, there are no absolutes in weightlifting. As long as you are physically able to perform an exercise with precise form you are ok. As long as the guy isn't feeling pain or any kind of unusual strain on his shoulders/rotator cuffs and keeps to strict form he should be ok.
And no, I usually don't recommend this lift to people, because of the risk of injury, unless you know what you are doing and you are a more advanced lifter.

and this.

[HardWorkPaysof]

Ever see someone doing a pull-ups behind their head? Ever look at like every lat pulldown machine's diagram that has a big X over a picture of someone pulling them behind their head? But wtf do they know, go for it bro.

Yes, I have seen people doing wide grip pull ups behind their heads.

It defnitely isn't for everyone, but I prefer behind the neck pulldowns

[greg_1006]

First place I noticed this excercise or another variation was in Death Race where Jason Statham was doing behind the head pull ups. I would imagine it takes a little less focus off the lats and more on the rhomboids and traps. That guy looked huge in that movie.

[Tyrbolift]

lol

anyone who thinks there are absolutes in bodybuilding has no idea what they are talking about.... period.

Thank God for teh flippies in the world.

Correctamundo senor.