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Back Exercise · Cable

Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2 exercise animation

Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2

Category
Back
Equipment
Cable
Target
Lats

Keeping the arms straight during this pushdown shifts the target from the triceps to the lats, using a motion closer to a straight-arm pulldown than a typical elbow-bending pushdown. It's a less obvious lat exercise that isolates the muscle without any bicep assistance, since the elbows barely move. Standing tall and hinging slightly at the hips as the bar comes down keeps the lats doing the work instead of the shoulders.

How to Do the Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2

  1. Attach a straight bar to a high pulley cable machine.
  2. Stand facing the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
  3. Grip the bar overhand, keeping your arms straight and your palms facing down.
  4. Brace your core and keep your back straight as you exhale and push the bar down toward your thighs.
  5. Pause briefly at the bottom, then inhale as you slowly return the bar to the starting position.
  6. Perform for your targeted rep count, focusing on a deliberate tempo and maximum tension in the lats.

Calorie Burn & Set Tracker

Sets
3
Reps / Set
10
Active Timer
00:00
Estimated Burn
0 kcal

Muscles Worked

The Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2 primarily targets the Lats, with Triceps as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Shoulders.

More Back Exercises

Alternate Lateral Pulldown Alternate Lateral Pulldown Cable · Lats Archer Pull Up Archer Pull Up Body Weight · Lats Assisted Parallel Close Grip Pull-Up Assisted Parallel Close Grip Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Assisted Pull-Up Assisted Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Assisted Standing Chin-Up Assisted Standing Chin-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Assisted Standing Pull-Up Assisted Standing Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats

More Lats Exercises

Back Pec Stretch Back Pec Stretch Body Weight · Lats Band Assisted Pull-Up Band Assisted Pull-Up Band · Lats Band Close-Grip Pulldown Band Close-Grip Pulldown Band · Lats Band Fixed Back Close Grip Pulldown Band Fixed Back Close Grip Pulldown Band · Lats Band Fixed Back Underhand Pulldown Band Fixed Back Underhand Pulldown Band · Lats Band Kneeling One Arm Pulldown Band Kneeling One Arm Pulldown Band · Lats

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have cable? These target the same lats with different equipment.

Archer Pull Up Archer Pull Up Body Weight · Lats Assisted Parallel Close Grip Pull-Up Assisted Parallel Close Grip Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Band Assisted Pull-Up Band Assisted Pull-Up Band · Lats Barbell Bent Arm Pullover Barbell Bent Arm Pullover Barbell · Lats

FAQ

What muscles does the Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2 work?
The Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2 primarily targets the lats, with the triceps and shoulders assisting.
What equipment do I need for the Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2?
The Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2 is done with a cable.
What's a good alternative to the Cable Pushdown (straight Arm) V. 2?
If you don't have access to a cable, the Archer Pull Up targets the same lats using body weight instead.