Compared to the traditional lat pulldown, the supinated lat pulldown does a better job of training your lats. An underhand grip allows you to pull the weight down further than you normally would with an overhand grip.
Table of Contents
What muscles do underhand lat pulldowns work?
As you may have guessed, the underhand lat pulldown primarily works your lats. Originating in the lower-mid back, the latissimus dorsi holds the title for the broadest muscle of the back. Your lats play a significant role in most “pulling” exercises such as the lat pulldown, pull ups, and other rowing exercises.
Are underhand lat pulldowns effective?
The underhand grip pulldown better stimulates the lower-lat muscle fibers, giving the appearance of thick, full lats all the way down to the waist, a la Dorian Yates. You should routinely include both exercises in your back program for the best overall lat development.
Is reverse grip lat pulldown good?
Are Reverse Grip Pulldowns Good? Yes, they are an effective exercise. They can significantly improve strength and stimulate hypertrophy throughout the back, biceps and shoulders. The exercise will also enhance stability in the upper back.
Which pulldown is best for lats?
The study concluded that when the primary objective of a lat pull down is considered the front of the head is a better choice than behind the head.
Which lat pulldown grip is best?
- Grasp the handles slightly wider than shoulder-width with a closed, overhand grip.
- Keep your torso and spine in a neutral position with a slight backward lean (approximately 10-15o backward should do the trick).
- Exhale while pulling the bar down toward the upper chest.
What does reverse grip lat pulldown do?
The Reverse Grip Lat Pulldown helps to strengthen the back, as well as the shoulders, biceps and forearms. The latissimus dorsi (lats), a broad fan shaped muscle of the back, is particularly targeted during the exercise.
What do reverse grip lat pulldowns work?
A variation of the Lat Pulldown, the Reverse Grip Pulldown is a cable based pulling exercise that targets and develops the muscles of the back, shoulders and arms.
What does underhand grip work?

What are the best exercises for back?
- Kettlebell Swings.
- Barbell Deadlift.
- Barbell Bent-over Row.
- Pull-up.
- Dumbbell Single-arm Row.
- Chest-supported Dumbbell Row.
- Inverted Row.
- Lat Pulldown.
Are behind the neck lat pulldowns good?
Benefits Of Behind The Neck Lat Pulldowns It activates many of the muscles in your back like a standard pulldown but also activates your shoulder muscles. If performed correctly, it can help strengthen your upper body and improve your overall functionality.
Is wide grip better for lat pulldown?
Which grip is better for the lat pulldown will depend on your goals. A wide grip is better for lifters who want to increase lat strength or size or for those looking to improve their pull-ups. A close grip is better for those looking to target their mid and upper back or increase the strength of their back overall.
Is close grip or wide grip better for lats?
Muscle Activation A wide grip lat pulldown activates your lats more fully, and while it will activate your arms and shoulders, it focuses primarily on your upper and lower back. A close grip lat pulldown does work your lats, but also activates your chest and arms more.
How do I make my lats wider?
- 6 Ways To Build Bigger, Wider Lats. 6 Back Strength Exercise For A Bigger Back.
- Neutral Grip Pull-Ups With
- Reclining Rows. We love pull-ups.
- W-Handle Lat Pull-Downs With
- Meadow Rows.
- Unilateral Lat Pull-Downs With
- Dumbbell Incline Lat Swings.
Is neutral grip better for lats?
Neutral Grip โ This is the strongest of all pull-up grips. Parallel wrists place more emphasis on the brachialis, eliciting substantial arm growth. Taking advantage of the biomechanically advantageous grip also allows for utilizing heavier loads, producing greater recruitment of the inferior fibers of the Lats.
Is lat pulldown for back or shoulders?
Lat pulldowns also work the rhomboid muscles on your upper back, which draw your shoulder blades toward your spine, as well as the lower trapezius muscles, which pull your shoulder blades down. The exercise strengthens the rear deltoids on the backs of your shoulders, which help pull the arms backward.
Are reverse grip rows good?
Reverse Grip Barbell Row Benefits The reverse grip barbell row movement requires more work from the biceps, so it strengthens them very effectively. It also really strengthens other muscles like the lats, rhomboids, spinal erectors, hamstrings, and glutes.
What does behind the neck lat pulldowns work?
The behind-the-neck lat pulldown causes forward head posture, which increases your risk of rotator cuff injuries. From improving posture to building stronger back muscles โ specifically your lats โ the lat pulldown is one of the best exercises all around.
How do I get the V shape?
- Straight Arm Lat Pulldown. This isolation back exercise is perfect for increasing back width.
- Wide Grip Pulldown.
- Underhand Pulldown.
- Snatch Grip Deadlift.
- Conventional Deadlift.
- Wide Grip Row (Neutral Grip)
- Bent Over Row.
- Supported T-Bar Row.
What workout should I do everyday?
- Day 1: Chest + (Light) Triceps.
- Day 2: Back + (Light) Biceps.
- Day 3: Core + Forearms + Calves + Cardio.
- Day 4: Shoulders + (Heavy) Triceps.
- Day 5: Legs + (Heavy) Biceps.
- Day 6: Rest (Light core workout as an option)
How do I get a thick back?

Should lat pulldown go behind head?
In conclusion passing the bar behind the head is less effective in terms of strengthening the latissimus dorsi muscle and poses distinct injury risks. So pass the bar in front of your head when doing the lat pull down.
How wide should you go on lat pulldown?
Dr. Jim Stoppani of the SimplyShredded.com adds that a wide grip is best for adding width to your back and targets the lats all the way down to their insertion point at the waist. With a wide-grip pulldown, your hands should be 2 to 3 inches wider than shoulder width.
What can I do instead of lat pulldown?
- High Row Machine.
- Lat Pullover Machine.
- Narrow Grip Row Machine.
- Single Arm Dumbbell Row.
- Dumbbell Pullover.
- Single Arm Cable Pulldown.
- Straight Arm Pulldown.
- Cable Row.
Where should your hands be for a lat pulldown?
