Lat Pulldown - can't get the bar down

[ir0ndiam0nd]

I only weigh 140 lbs and I can't get the bar to come down anymore. I know I can lift more weight but I am just not heavy enough to bring the bar down into position. Has anyone else ever ran across this problem? What did you do? Thanks.

[Gjudas]

Try using a weight that you can get down with good form and then progress from there.

[djansen]

um thats what the leg pads are for, to lock you in.

[bonglebear]

um thats what the leg pads are for, to lock you in.

this.

but if you don't have the equipment then try doing wide arm pull ups, i find these much better for hitting my lats. of course it's a personal preference and what works for me might not for you.

[tenk_immortals]

this.

but if you don't have the equipment then try doing wide arm pull ups, i find these much better for hitting my lats. of course it's a personal preference and what works for me might not for you.

this is true. i would do the pullups since your dilemma clearly indicates you can do more than a few. and add weight to your belt.

problem solved by switching to a slightly better exercise.

[ir0ndiam0nd]

this is true. i would do the pullups since your dilemma clearly indicates you can do more than a few. and add weight to your belt.

problem solved by switching to a slightly better exercise.

Ok I'll try out the weighted pull-ups. What makes pull-ups better than the lat pulldown?

Oh and the machine at the gym I go to, you can't reach the bar while sitting, so the leg think doesn't help me to bring it down.

[tenk_immortals]

Ok I'll try out the weighted pull-ups. What makes pull-ups better than the lat pulldown?

well they hit the same muscle groups. they hit lats primarily and bunch of other back stuff.

one reason i would give is form. many people on the lat pulldown screw up by:
a. leaning back so they can do more weight
b. don't bring the bar down enough

while doing pullups with good form is easier to manage. make sure you go all the way down to a dead hang before each rep.

[DJAuto]

Have someone help you bring it down until you lock your legs in place.

[lotus_esprit5]

Agreed, switch to pull-ups. I had the same problem. I was doing more than my bodyweight on lat pull-downs and would have to jump and hang on the bar to get it to come down far enough for me to sit down. I switched to weighted pull-ups and haven't gone back. Pay close attention to strict form though.

[tobyow]

Have someone help you bring it down until you lock your legs in place.

This

[DSilent1]

This

sounds to me though, that he is trying to use to much weight on the lat pulldown. so much so that he can't even get sat down to get his legs under the pads.

OP, If your determined to do lat towers instead of WG pullups, you are going to have to check your ego bud and drop the weight. There is nothing wrong with building up to using heavier weight.

[s2814fun]

Ok I'll try out the weighted pull-ups. What makes pull-ups better than the lat pulldown?

Oh and the machine at the gym I go to, you can't reach the bar while sitting, so the leg think doesn't help me to bring it down.

Pull the bar down till you can reach the bar while sitting and put the pin in.