Low rows, machine rows as substitute for lat pulldowns/pullups?

[bigwoody117]

I just started doing Brandon Lilly's The Cube Kingpin, and he calls for lat pulldowns and pull ups. The problem is I have an elbow injury preventing me from doing them. Surprisingly I'm okay benching mostly. I have zero issue doing low cable rows, but occasionally have an issue doing pendley rows and bent over rows. I also have a machine chest supported row machine (usually I avoid machines) which I tried and it doesn't hurt my elbow.

Would low cable rows and machine chest supported rows be a good substitute for lat pulldowns/pullups?

[ecchastang]

I just started doing Brandon Lilly's The Cube Kingpin, and he calls for lat pulldowns and pull ups. The problem is I have an elbow injury preventing me from doing them. Surprisingly I'm okay benching mostly. I have zero issue doing low cable rows, but occasionally have an issue doing pendley rows and bent over rows. I also have a machine chest supported row machine (usually I avoid machines) which I tried and it doesn't hurt my elbow.

Would low cable rows and machine chest supported rows be a good substitute for lat pulldowns/pullups?

They pull in a different plane of motion but they will still help work the back and pull muscles. With that in mind, you should figure out what is wrong with your elbow that is causing you problems.

[Keoking]

Have you tried neutral grip pulldowns or pull-ups?

[TomMutaffis]

As others have suggested you may want to try different grips to see if you can do the pull-downs; or if you have access to other machines (such as hammer strength pieces) they might also be worth trying.

If not then I would do what you can.

[MindofShadow]

Not a perfect substitute but a lot better than nothing

[GetHimABodyBag]

I love me the Hammer Strength High Rows, one arm at a time. It's a good mix of a row and a pulldown