V Bar Lat Pulldown
In SetGrip: Lat Pulldown (V Bar)
A close neutral V handle keeps your arms tucked tight and lets you lean back slightly into a longer pull to the upper chest, which most lifters can load heavier than any wide-grip option. The narrow hand position trims the top-end stretch a touch, so open every rep with fully reached arms.
How to do the V Bar Lat Pulldown
- Sit down on the cable pulldown machine and grab the v-bar attachment with an overhand grip.
- Adjust the knee pad so that your thighs are secured under it.
- Keep your back straight and lean back slightly.
- Pull the v-bar down towards your upper chest while keeping your elbows close to your body.
- Squeeze your back muscles at the bottom of the movement.
- Slowly return the v-bar to the starting position and repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
Tip: Pull the elbows toward your hips, not the bar toward your chin.
Muscles worked
Primary
Lats · Back
The lats pull the upper arm down and in, and you should feel a stretch at the top of the rep and a squeeze at the bottom along the sides of the back.
Common mistakes
- Rowing the bar — a slight lean is fine but if the torso swings past 30 degrees you are rowing, not pulling down; sit tall and let the elbows travel straight down.
- Pulling behind the neck by accident — unless you are deliberately training the behind-the-neck version light with good shoulder mobility, bring the bar to the top of the chest and no further.
- Starting with the arms — initiate by pulling the shoulders down away from the ears, then let the elbows follow.
- Stack slamming on the return — control the bar all the way back up until the arms are straight and the lats are stretched.
Sets, reps and where it fits
| Goal | Sets × reps | Rest |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 4–5 × 3–6 | 2–3 min |
| Muscle growth | 3–4 × 6–12 | 90–120 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 12–20 | 60 s |
Pulldowns go after pull-ups or as the main vertical pull if you cannot do pull-ups yet. Superset with a straight arm pulldown or cable row on the same stack.
Variations and alternatives
Similar exercises
Without cable
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does the V Bar Lat Pulldown work?
The V Bar Lat Pulldown primarily works the lats. It also involves the biceps and forearms, which assist the movement and stabilise the joints.
Is the V Bar Lat Pulldown good for beginners?
Yes. The V Bar Lat Pulldown is rated beginner: it uses a cable and the movement is simple to learn. Start light, focus on the full range of motion and add load once every rep looks the same.
What can I do instead of the V Bar Lat Pulldown?
If you cannot do the V Bar Lat Pulldown, try the Underhand Grip Banded Lat Pulldown, the Close Grip Banded Lat Pulldown or the Reverse Grip Selectorized Machine Lat Pulldown. Each of them trains the lats through a similar movement, so you can swap them in without changing the rest of the workout.
How many sets and reps should I do?
It depends on your goal. For the V Bar Lat Pulldown, a sensible starting point is strength: 4–5 × 3–6 with 2–3 min rest; muscle growth: 3–4 × 6–12 with 90–120 s rest; endurance: 2–3 × 12–20 with 60 s rest. Put it early in the session while you are fresh, before isolation work for the same muscles.
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