Lat Pulldowns and different grips?

[ZOOYUKA]

Can someone explain the differences between the various lat pull down grips? I am specifically speaking about the traditional wide grip vs. underhand vs hammer grip. Thanks.

 

[Pantlegz]

wide grip focuses on lats the more narrow the more the triceps come into play, underhand take your lats almost out of the picture and work your biceps/maybe a little tricep work too. I'm not sure about hammer grip I've never heard of it...

 

[ZOOYUKA]

wide grip focuses on lats the more narrow the more the triceps come into play, underhand take your lats almost out of the picture and work your biceps/maybe a little tricep work too. I'm not sure about hammer grip I've never heard of it...

Really? I was thinking they would help make your lats thicker.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Really? I was thinking they would help make your lats thicker.

The lats are most certainly in effect with an underhand grip. Try curling the amount that you pull down. You won't get even close. The lats are active in all pull-down exercises, some people just prefer to mix it up.

Also, keep in mind that exercise =/= bigger muscles by default.

 

[Sixguns]

I know on my back day, I do all types of pull-ups. I start with the wide grip, than underhand, followed by the hammergrip style. My gym has a wide and close grip hammergrip. The wide grip are the hardest for me but since Ive started doing them I get one more every week.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

What about bent over rows for lats?

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Thanks for the different responses guys. I am still confused on how the different grips will hit the back differently though.

 

[ZOOYUKA]

What about bent over rows for lats?

Rows are a great lat workout. I'm just trying to get a better understanding of the various pulldowns and how they affect your back differently.

 

[Deeko]

Can someone explain the differences between the various lat pull down grips? I am specifically speaking about the traditional wide grip vs. underhand vs hammer grip. Thanks.

Per Arnold's book, a wide grip will make your lats bigger at the top (basically, wider) whereas the narrow grip will make your lats bigger at the bottom (basically, longer)

 

[ZOOYUKA]

Per Arnold's book, a wide grip will make your lats bigger at the top (basically, wider) whereas the narrow grip will make your lats bigger at the bottom (basically, longer)

Thanks. That is what I was looking for. Since the width is roughly the same other than how your palms face is there much difference between hammer or underhand?

 

[prism]

From all that I've read, I'm under the impression that the best lat exercise for people that can't do chinups (read: me) is the inverted row. Plus, I think they're more fun to do than lat pulldowns, but that's just me

 

[tedrodai]

From all that I've read, I'm under the impression that the best lat exercise for people that can't do chinups (read: me) is the inverted row. Plus, I think they're more fun to do than lat pulldowns, but that's just me

Don't know your reason of course, but just to throw this out there: if you're not strong enough to do pullups, you can perhaps start with negative reps. Get a stool/etc that allows you to start at the top of the pullup position, then lift up your knees and lower yourself in a slow and controlled manner. At the bottom, just put your feet down on the stool or floor, and there's 1 rep.

I had a hard making gains with my lats til I used that method and slowly worked my way into pullups.