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 Benefits of front versus behind-head lat pulldowns?
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| Author | Topic: Benefits of front versus behind-head lat pulldowns? |
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somec- Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 37) |
posted April 20, 2000 11:33 AM
  
I'm wondering what different muscles front lat pulldowns (pulling the bar to the chest) work versus pulling the bar behind the head. I prefer to do behind-the-head pulldowns as it seems to give me a much better pump, but watching most other people in the gym shows that most of the bigger guys are doing front pull-downs. The odd thing is that most people doing the front pulldowns are also swaying up and back while pulling, which seems like it would introduce too much momentum. I'm quite happy with my behind-the-head pulldowns, but don't want to waste my time if the frontal method would have more benefits. Any ideas? IP: Logged |
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somec- Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 37) |
posted April 20, 2000 11:42 AM
Another interesting thing, the diagram on the lat-pulldown machine shows a guy pulling the bar to his chest, and the instructions beside the diagram say to pull the bar behind your head :-) IP: Logged |
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mossberg Pro Bodybuilder (Total posts: 140) |
posted April 20, 2000 06:16 PM
Behind your head can induce ALOT of stress on your rotator cuff = shoulder damage/problems. Pull downs to the chest, in a controlled fashion(i.e. no momentum)is the way to go. Don't forget pullups, dumbell rows and seated cable rows of various grip placements are also alternatives. IP: Logged |
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TheBadGuy Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 41) |
posted April 20, 2000 07:27 PM
Pulldowns to the rear have some good qualities, mainly that they push your shoulder blades further apart giving you a wider back. I prefer pulldowns to the front simply because i feel it much more in my lats than the rear ones. I agree that the pulldowns to the rear can be dangerous to the rotator cuff so be careful w/ them. IP: Logged |
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StevieD Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 51) |
posted April 22, 2000 08:51 AM
Behind neck really gave be shoulder problems - it's such an unnatural movement for your cuffs. I prefer to do close hammer grip pulldowns to chest - my shoulders have been miles better. To get the big spread try doing single arms hammer grip cable rows (or pull ups if you can manage them). IP: Logged |
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Vitaman Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 12) |
posted April 25, 2000 07:30 AM
I to must admit that behind the head pull downs can cause rotator cuff problems. I have found that a reverse grip front pull down is much easier in the shoulders and works out well for me. As I pull down, I pull my arms back better to get a better pump on the lats and rear delts. Heavy, but manageable weight, with proper form will keep the momentum (or cheating) under control. IP: Logged |
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CONTRACTION Amateur Bodybuilder (Total posts: 20) |
posted April 26, 2000 09:01 PM
I had annoying shoulder pain doing pulldowns behind my head. It went away in no time once I switched to pulldowns to the front. IP: Logged |
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