Pull ups vs. pull down cable

[jdesey]

I have switched from lat pull downs to assisted pull ups. My reason is that there’s no cheating, no torso bend to help. I do multiple grips to hit all the back. Much better results. Still learning after 40 years in the gym.

[HeMB]

I have switched from lat pull downs to assisted pull ups. My reason is that there’s no cheating, no torso bend to help. I do multiple grips to hit all the back. Much better results. Still learning after 40 years in the gym.

If you feel them working your back then it is fine. But IME, assisted pullups are crap and I am better off doing pulldowns.

[andy0w]

I have switched from lat pull downs to assisted pull ups. My reason is that there’s no cheating, no torso bend to help. I do multiple grips to hit all the back. Much better results. Still learning after 40 years in the gym.

It's ok if you have the equipment.
If you don't and you can't pull up your own weight yet, you can do lat pull down.

I'm looking for a rubber band. Those I have aren't suitable.

Amazon sells a lot but no info about starting length, end length or force.

[Garage Rat]

If your feeling the back get good work there is nothing wrong with assisted pull ups IMO.
I do them occasionally so i can get higher reps on a pull up type movement.
An assisted machine is better than a band pull up in that you get an even pull through the movement.
A band is easy at the bottom and harder at the top.
The top half is usually where people are the weakest.
On the assisted be as strict as possible and eventually strive to decrease the assistance weight and get to a regular unassisted pull up.
That should be the goal.
Lat pull downs are a great bodybuilding lat and upper back builders and sort of opposite as your pulling the weight down to your body.
Good luck.

[WakingOp]

as your pulling the weight down to your body.
Good luck.

Does that matter? Doesn't seem like it would make much difference, you're still pulling the same.

I stopped doing lat pulldowns when I got to my bodyweight, cause after that my machine only has 20 pound increments. Pullups feel better. And more macho.

[GeneralSerpant]

Does that matter? Doesn't seem like it would make much difference, you're still pulling the same.

I stopped doing lat pulldowns when I got to my bodyweight, cause after that my machine only has 20 pound increments. Pullups feel better. And more macho.

The open chain nature allows you to dial in the form to hit the lats more freely when you're not working with the momentum of the body. Good for mmc.

[dazitmayn]

assisted pullup machine is okay if you are trying to develop your lats would rather do pulldowns though if trying to learn pullups, pullup negatives and bands are great, i prefer regular pullups/chinups overall but will throw in a lat pulldown sometimes

[RyanBest97]

Pull ups are the best option in my opinion when it comes to training your lats. However the best option for you is to find out what works for you.

When I first began training I used to train lat pull down as I could barely do one strict pull up. I did not make much progress until I began to include pull ups in my training. I began by doing negative repititions and then progressed to low rep bodyweight pull ups then progressed to 5 sets of 5 reps. Before I knew it I was able to do 10/12 repititions. I then began to add weight, 5kg at first and then 10kg for 8-12 reps. I can now do 18+ bodyweight pull ups and my back is developing nicely. I usually train in the 6 - 12 rep range with weighted pull ups for hypertrophy.

[rjthegreat10]

I’d have to say pull ups are better. I’ve been doing weighted pull ups and my back has grown stupidly quick. Work your way up to weighted pull ups and then you’ll never do lat pull downs again

[ElrondHubbard]

I’d have to say pull ups are better. I’ve been doing weighted pull ups and my back has grown stupidly quick. Work your way up to weighted pull ups and then you’ll never do lat pull downs again

Yes and no. Pullups, particularly weighted pullups, are preferable if you can get enough reps and volume in with them. I can still see a benefit to cable pulldowns even there, though, especially if you like to do drop sets.