VARIATIONS

Cable Rope Incline Pushdown

This isolation exercise targets the latissimus dorsi by pulling a rope from an overhead position down to the thighs while lying on an incline bench. It emphasizes the stretch and contraction of the lats without significant involvement from the arms or shoulders.

HOW TO DO IT

  1. Lie face up on an incline bench positioned behind a high cable pulley.
  2. Grab one end of the rope in each hand with a neutral grip, thumbs facing each other.
  3. Extend your arms straight up so the rope hovers above your forehead.
  4. Pull the rope down in an arc until it touches your upper thighs.
  5. Spread the rope ends apart and squeeze your lats hard at the bottom.
  6. Slowly return the rope to the starting position above your head.

COMMON MISTAKES

  • Bending the elbows too much and turning the move into a triceps extension.
  • Using momentum to swing the weight instead of controlling the descent.
  • Lifting the shoulders off the bench during the downward pull.
  • Stopping the range of motion before the rope reaches the thighs.
  • Gripping the rope too tightly and letting the wrists drive the movement.

TIPS

  • Keep your upper arms glued to your sides throughout the entire rep.
  • Initiate the pull by driving your elbows down toward your hips.
  • Maintain a slight bend in the elbows to protect the joint.
  • Focus on moving the elbows rather than just pulling with the hands.
  • Spread the rope ends apart at the bottom of the rep to maximize the lat squeeze.

SAFETY

  • Ensure the cable path is clear of the bench frame to prevent sudden stops.
  • Do not hyperextend the shoulders at the top of the movement if you feel pinching.
  • Keep your head clear of the returning rope.

DETAILS

Muscles
LatsBack
Equipment
Cable MachineIncline Bench
Type
Strength Training
Difficulty
Beginner
Tracked as
Weight & Reps

TECHNIQUE

Handle
Rope
Arms
Both
Hand orientation
Neutral (palms facing each other)
Body position
Lying on the back
Bench angle
Incline
Pulley height
High

SIMILAR EXERCISES

Cable Rope Incline Pushdown · 1/2

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