Alternatives

[Jupiter]

Hi. I'm working a 2 day split at the moment - arms/legs one day, torso another.

On the torso days I do:
Bench Press
Lat Pulldown
Single Arm Row
Upright Row
Shoulder Press

The problem is I hate the lat pulldown machine. It's supposed to be ergonomic and has separate handles rather than a bar (the gym used to have the bar version, but 'improved' it ) I only do the lat pulldowns coz they also got rid of the assisted chins in the same improvement , which was a fantastic machine (can't do unassisted, far too weak at the moment, but something I'm aiming for.)

What can I substitute for the lat pulldown, or do I not even need it with the rows I'm doing? If I don't need anything, is there an exercise I'm missing, coz I want to keep to 5, it works well for my schedule.

Thanks
Jupiter

[Awais_uk]

Im sure most of the guys in here would say "QUIT WHINING AND LIFT!", its just something you have to do. But i guess the beauty of lat workouts is theres alot of excercises you can do depending on which area of your lats u are hitting *(upper or lower)*

Try standing infront of a cable pull down with an ez bar or something (as if doing a tricep pull down) but keep your arms straight, and lower the weight towards your stomach.

Also u can try

Bent over barbell rows
Single arm rows
Lat row
T bar pulls with a wide grip

Focus on technique and feel the squeeze.

Good luck mate.

[CubanChick]

Originally Posted by Awais_uk;626287[B

]"QUIT WHINING AND LIFT!", its just something you have to do.[/b]

Try standing infront of a cable pull down with an ez bar or something (as if doing a tricep pull down) but keep your arms straight, and lower the weight towards your stomach. Good one too!!!
Also u can try

Bent over barbell rows
Single arm rows
Lat row
T bar pulls with a wide grip

Focus on technique and feel the squeeze.

Good luck mate.

All the above are good... But I would be one to say stop whining, lol. Pulldowns have really done wonders for my lats. My back is lagging the most.

Also include some pullovers and deads. Those work well too! The pullups also work great. Maybe you can find someone to assist you by holding your feet.

[Jupiter]

Cheers, I think, for the replies.

I'd just like to point out that I am not whining. This machine is horrible and I think aimed at 60-something women who are forced to do weights when all they really want to do at the gym is a little walk while reading the latest OK! It doesn't even seem to target my lats, but gives my arms a good workout. The cable goes through at least 4 pulleys, so the action isn't smooth.

As you make me seem stupid whenever I post a question, I going to get out of your hair and stop posting.

[Hawkwind]

That sounds like one hellz of a horrible machine in my opinion Jupiter.
Check this link:
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

It should give you some ideas of exercises that you can swap out that machine for. There is short vid clip demonstrating most of them as well.

[jproudj]

I hate the lat pulldown as well, my old gym had a double handle machine. If you experiment you can get it to hit the lats but like most machines there are much better exercises. Barbell rows or seated cable rows are probably the best, and weakness won't be a problem. That should help you work up to full pull ups, which are a great exercise.

[bbha]

who would have conniptions if I went near an assisted pullup machine and he really believed in the lat pulldown. And he was a part of arnold's entourage at one point, so he wasn't an total idiot, at least not about weight training. He had a long rant. Long. Anyway, it sounds like your particular machine is bumming you out...I would give it a try--what my trainer liked about the lat pulldown was the instability--does your ergo machine provide that instability?

You know, one really great exercise to get results fast in that area are negative pullups where you use a stool and kick to get up and then lower yourself down. Maybe do some of those and then combine with one arm rows or some of the other exercises suggested