The lat pulldown machine is one of the most recognizable pieces of gym equipment. In a typical gym, just look for a queue; chances are there are a lot of people waiting for their turn to use it.
A lat pulldown is an excellent addition to the home gym and can be used to train important muscle groups, such as the latissimus dorsi, the traps, rear delts, rhomboids, and biceps. If you’re sold on the idea of being able to do pull-ups easily or having that coveted v-shape on your back, then we recommend you check out our best lat pulldown machines list.
Researched and Tested
When it comes to lat pulldown machines, our expertise is unmatched. We not only conduct rigorous testing of the equipment we discuss, but our team of testers and researchers includes certified personal trainers, coaches, strength and conditioning coaches, and competitive athletes who possess extensive experience with these machines in gym settings.
To curate our list of the best lat pulldown machines, we dedicated ourselves to thorough testing of each machine featured. We paid close attention to factors such as build quality, price point, and overall value for consumers. Rest assured, the list comprises top-tier options, enabling you to make an informed decision when purchasing a lat pulldown machine.
Topping off the list, we have an impressive lat pulldown machine from Bells of Steel.
This machine does everything you would want to and then some. Of course, you can do lat pulldowns with this machine, but you can also do much more than that.
You can also use this machine to do low rows, cable curls, tricep pushdowns, and more.
And there are even add-on attachments like the split squat roller attachment, landmine attachment, dip bar attachment, belt squat attachment, and more.
This bad boy comes with a 310 lb weight stack that goes in 10 lb increments and can handle the appetite of even the most savage lifters.
The loadable pin makes it effortless to change the weight, and the pulleys glide nice and smooth at a 1:1 weight ratio, which means 100 lbs will feel like 100 lbs.
I should also mention that a loadable pin means you can put an extra weight plate on the pin itself, up to 20 lbs.
The machine itself weighs a robust 528 lbs, and its dimensions are 86.7″t x 41.3″w x 69.9″l.
This lat machine arrives in 9 boxes and takes about 1.5 hours to assemble. The instructions are so-so, but there is also a video you can watch to help you along.
This lat machine comes with a lifetime limited warranty that guarantees it will not break down under normal use and protects against defects in material, function, and workmanship.
Coming up close and in second place is the Lat Tower, an all-in-one lat pulldown machine designed to save space and give your back and shoulders a workout. It has everything you’d need, including weights and padded seats.
With a price tag of nearly two grand, you’d expect a lat pulldown and row machine to have a row bar, but this isn’t the case. You will need to shell out extra for the low-row handle, but overall it’s a minor gripe to otherwise excellent equipment.
On the bright side, you can forego a cage and just buy the Lat Tower outright. The machine has its own set of adjustable weights ranging from 10 to 300 lbs. Controlling the weight stack is easy- just use the weight stack pin, which is made from anodized aluminum and stick it to the desired level. You won’t have a hard time, too as it’s magnetized for seamless shifting.
The seat is Spartan in nature- all black, with minimal padding for support. However, it’s functional enough to be used by anyone, thanks to the eight footplate positions and six thigh pad positions. Regardless of your build, height, or mass, you’ll find a perfect sitting position so you can do lat pulldowns correctly.
The machine’s pulley system and components are a worthy mention- the build is quite sturdy, and the design is what you’d typically see in commercial gyms. Titan Fitness added an aircraft-grade cable to keep things steady, and the pulldown motions are smooth as can be. We could do a dozen different pulldown movements, as well as seated rows and bent rows in the correct form, and had no problems from start to finish.
As far as quality is concerned, the price is worth every penny. You might run into a few problems though, such as spending more time than usual assembling the machine (pro tip: the manual might be too small or complicated. Go with YouTube instead), and parts that don’t fit well.
Pros
Great all-around lat pulldown setup
A lat tower and row machine in a single gym equipment
If you have a ton of money to spend on a home lat pulldown machine, then the Rogue LP-2 is for you. When buying this bad boy, you only need to answer one question- do you have enough space to park this lat pulldown monstrosity?
The Rogue LP-2 is one of the biggest machines on the list, towering nearly nine feet tall. After the truck unloads it, you’ll need a forklift or something similar to get it where it needs to go. Get past this initial hurdle, and you’ll start to appreciate the fine craftsmanship and high-end details the lat pulldown offers.
The LP-2 is the improved version of the original Rogue Lat Pulldown, with several quality-of-life changes. In place of nylon pulleys are aluminum counterparts, and both the weight stack and pulley are manufactured in-house rather than sourced. There’s a weight stack shroud included in the package, and the pegs are now flip-down for easier exit after pull-downs. Lastly, custom adjustments can now be made to the foam roller via a swing-style pad.
Training starts the moment you bolt the lat pulldown beast to the floor. The 300-pound weight stack with 10-pound increment adjustments will prove to be adequate for most workout sessions, and you can even switch to rowing exercises by sitting on the floor facing the LP-2 and pulling the handles. There’s no reconfiguring other than adjusting the weight pins for the one you want.
Build quality and machine operation are what you’d expect from a high-end lat pulldown. It’s one of the smoothest and quietest we’ve ever tried, and you probably won’t settle for anything less once you’ve had a round on the LP-2. The aluminum pulleys and USA military-spec cable have that premium feel and motion, and combined with the stainless steel lat bar is arguably the best lat system we’ve come across.
Rogue has spared no expense, even down to the minor details such as the footplate and seat. It’s comfortable even on extended sessions, and the footpegs accommodate nearly every individual who wants to work out.
Pros
Best-in-class lat pulldown machine for the price
Can be customized with accessories and attachments
If you’re a bit tight, money-wise, and don’t mind a bare-bones lat pulldown machine, then we’d wholly recommend the Plate Loaded Lat Tower V2. Those who already have Olympic weight plates they use in their home gyms can save quite a bit and still achieve a stronger back and upper body.
Although the official specification detail lists the weight capacity at 400 pounds, we’d say that it’s closer to 250. Anything heavier will require reinforced support, and you should make sure that you bolt the machine to the floor before you do upright rows.
As a side note, the V2 model has reinforced connections between the main upright and seat to improve stability that actually pans out well.
Using the Plate Loaded Lat Tower is fairly straightforward. Assembling the whole thing should take you an hour or so, and from there, you can start training your back and shoulders. As a side note though, we recommend lubricating the machine for a smoother operation. Loading up the weights is a matter of putting in the Olympic plates and balancing them on the bar.
The Lat Tower 2.0 isn’t a one-trick pony, though, as the machine can do virtually anything a lat pulldown can, including any type of pulldown, as well as seated rows and bent-over rows, among others.
Comfort and convenience are minimal, although you get four thigh pad adjustment levels. The seat isn’t the most comfortable and can benefit from an added cover. Stability depends on whether you securely bolted the equipment in place. That said, you should reach for your tools once you start to feel a wobble to reduce the risk of getting injured.
Quality isn’t as good compared to premium lat pulldowns. For example, the cable has a plastic cover that quickly wears out in just a few weeks of regular use. You’ll need to lube the rods as well if you don’t want to be distracted by the groans and high-pitched whining. The upside is that cable curls and triceps are doable, and with care, the equipment should last you a good year or so.
Pros
Cheap and serviceable
A good deal for those who already have Olympic plates
With an Amazon Prime account, you can have your home gym equipment delivered sooner. There’s a risk, however, of not getting the lat pulldown you want because there are literally hundreds of products to choose from. For a quick in-and-out, we’d recommend you go with the Xmark Lat Pulldown Machine.
Xmark’s Lat Pulldown sports clean lines and a sleek, minimal frame. The cables are coated with nylon and graded aircraft quality, and the machine boasts a total 400 lb. maximum load capacity. In testing this, we can say that 250 is the real limit as the frame began to wobble and become unstable while doing pulldowns.
The gym equipment scored high on most exercises, including shrugs, tricep presses, bicep curls, and various pulldown movements. As long as you have your form correct, the bar and pulley system responds nicely.
It’s worth noting that the seat has some extra thick padding for comfort, and the footplate flips up and down for use in pulldowns or rows. Dura guard vinyl keeps sharp objects from causing a tear in the upholstery.
The PR-1100 power rack and lat pulldown attachment is a match made in heaven. It’s the kind of setup that will be the envy of your friends, and you’ll find that there’s no shoulder or back exercise you can’t do with Rep Fitness’ equipment.
First, let’s take a look at the 1100 model power rack. It’s a versatile and full-featured rack that can accommodate a 700-pound weight capacity. We like how the height can be lowered with a simple adjustment and that it comes with a pull-up arch for arm training.
The uprights are numbered for barbell lifting, and the manufacturer has even included J-cups for protective purposes. Attach the safety, and you can now complete rack pulls or have extra space for your barbell.
Attach the lat pulldown accessory, and your home gym becomes a more capable beast. You get a plethora of added back, arm, and shoulder exercises, including tricep pushdowns, seated lats, and low rows. The load can either be bumper or iron Olympic plates that are two-inch thick. Also, the Lat Pulldown attachment comes with a straight bar that works with other add-ons.
Rep Fitness outfitted the pulley system with strong and durable plastic and galvanized wire with a steel core. When assembled, the system has a max load of up to 450 lbs. Operation is nice and smooth- what we like is how you get a pound-for-pound ratio, which means 10 pounds will really feel like that in resistance.
Pros
Eliminates mixing and matching racks and pulldown attachments
Excellent weight-loading stability and mechanism
More exercise options
Cons
You need your own bench to sit on for lat pulldowns
Iron Company has done an impressive job with its leverage-style lat pulldown machine. Instead of a pulley system and cable, the equipment uses leverage movement in conjunction with weight resistance to train your back muscles.
The Leverage Lat Pulldown, or LVLA is a commercial-grade equipment with several noteworthy features, namely the 360-degree articulating handles and independent operation for each arm. The handle lets you conform to a natural twist of the arm and wrist. At first thought, you may think that the form will be compromised as you complete the motions, but it’s actually a clever idea that we wish other lat pulldowns would copy.
Then, there’s the independent motion on each machine arm, which means that there won’t be any crutches as far as the dominant arm is concerned. You can train each shoulder and arm on their own via isolation and get better gains as a result. This is great for those who are very particular about developing their muscles asymmetrically.
The LVLA can take either Olympic bumper or weight plates, whichever you have on hand for resistance. As an added bonus, the pulldown machine can also be used to store the weight plates after workouts.
We like how the build is made with strong materials, with the bars and frame assuming a thicker stance. The 11-gauge steel in a 2×3 setup will definitely please those who want something that can withstand daily punishment, although the powder coat paint tends to lose its shine in a month or two.
Lastly, the LVLA boasts adjustable leg hold pads, a gas-powered seat adjustment mechanism, and double-stitched upholstery for durability.
Pros
360-degree articulating handles are a game-changer
Tall Wall Mounted Pulley Tower V3 by Titan Fitness
Best Wall Mounted Lat Pulldown Machine
A wall-mounted lat pulldown may seem like a disaster waiting to happen, but it’s only if you’re using an inferior machine (or a weak wall). The benefits are actually there- you save a good deal of space and won’t have to buy a power rack to train your latissimus dorsi muscles.
In our search for the best wall-mounted lat pulldown equipment, we came across the Titan Fitness Pulley Tower V3. It’s clean, functional, and does what a lat pull machine is supposed to. As an incentive, you can buy it at a fraction of the price as a functional tower.
The ‘V3′ in the product name means the equipment has undergone several transformations, namely a smoother experience by changing the dual-pole track to a single one and modified mounting brackets for installation into walls. Overall, we’re happy with the way things are going and how the machine performs on workouts.
The cable pulls are smooth and only snagged a few times throughout our run, but the frame held on securely with little budge. You’ll need to supply your own bench and weights, but this shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.
Titan Fitness’ wall-mounted lat pulldown machine has mounting hardware and rubber feet included. The bottom bracket has been improved so that it won’t disrupt the baseboard in any way. Connect a bar or handle and you get a true 1:1 ratio for optimized gains.
Pros
Solid and dependable for a wall-mounted lat pulldown tower
Rogue has done it again, this time with an updated and freestanding version of the Monster Lat Pulldown and Low Row Machine. On the first try, you’ll know that the equipment will last, and its design allows for virtually every movement in your training arsenal.
The Monster LPLW stands a foot under its counterpart, the LP-2, but has nearly the same features, including a 300 lb weight stack (that can be adjusted in 10 lb increments). Its crowning glory is easily the versatility that allows users to do triceps pushdowns and seated lats, then switch over to low rows for maximum efficiency. You get not just one, but two dynamic upper body workouts in one machine.
The Monster Pulldown sports new cables and pulleys, with 6-inch nylon and 0.25 inch cables going inside a floating pulley with reinforced covers. The lat bar is stainless steel and manufactured directly in-house, with the bending, knurling, and cutting done by the Rogue team.
Rogue is associated with quality equipment, with the Monster Lat Pulldown a testament to this fact. Granted, their products are a bit pricier than the others, but then you’d have gym equipment that lasts longer. Couple the lat pulldown machine with other Rogue accessories, and you’ll be able to put together a home gym that nearly does it all.
We found this gem hidden in the sub-$300 lat pulldown category with a lot of positive reviews online. After we’ve trained with it, we can sufficiently say that it’s good for those who need a lat pulldown machine without spending more than a few hundred dollars.
11-gauge steel tube does an adequate job of holding everything together. You’d be surprised to find that the equipment allows for lat pulldowns at a max 220 lbs. (although it’s rated at 450 lbs.), and doesn’t produce a lot of wobble in the lower weight ranges.
Training sessions are satisfying, and you’d be able to do bicep curls, seated rows, and tricep extensions, just to name a few. Load it up with the appropriate weight, put the weight pin in place, and begin the movement- ER Kang utilizes rolling bearings to reduce guide rod wear and for a smoother performance.
On the down low, you have adjustable seat pad positions to attain support at any height, and the thigh pad support gives you the leverage needed to complete lat pulldown using correct form. For row training, the footrest is solid and big enough to accommodate any size. We also like the diamond-shaped texture for added traction.
The whole thing can take a while to assemble, and lubing the cable and rollers is a must—otherwise, a solid budget choice for a lat pulldown for your home gym.
If you have a power rack you want to fill with training attachments, then look no further than the Rack Lat Pulldown Row Attachment. It’s also our top choice for the best lat pulldown machine, which means you get the workout and stability you need in premium gym equipment.
It also comes with a lot of great attachments that can make this awesome machine even awesomer.
Attachments include:
Dip station
Landmine attachment
Plate pegs
Split squat leg roller
Verticle barbell holder
Belt squat attachment
All the various handles you could want
The nice part about all these attachments, they don’t cost an arm and a leg like they do with some other manufacturers.
This lat machine is already pretty versatile on its own; these attachments allow you to make it even more versatile. You will get your money’s worth with this bad boy.
This machine features a 31o lb stack with a pin that can be plate loaded with up to 2o lbs.
It is a large beast that weighs over 500 lbs and takes about 1.5 hours to assemble.
Your wallet will love that it ships free, especially since it arrives in 9 packages in total.
Overall this is an excellent machine with some really cool attachments that make it even better.
Lat pulldown machines are easier to figure out compared to other gym equipment. The best ones will have an excellent core, namely the pulley system. A weak foundation and frame will compromise the rest of the setup, so that’s essential as well.
Here are several factors that came with our decision-making process.
Performance
A good home gym lat pulldown will have that premium feel that’s akin to its commercial counterparts. This means that you can get a solid grip on the bar 99 percent of the time, and the pull itself should be smooth, like a well-oiled machine.
Since it’s a weight-based equipment, stability is very important too. Most inferior products conk out when you reach the 200-pound and above weight level or become too unstable for working out. For good measure, we picked out lat pulldowns that need to be held down by bolts or as an attachment to a power rack.
Durability
We all want a home gym that can last a long time. Even if the equipment costs a few bucks more, we’re willing to invest in them if it means that they stick around longer. Again, the pulley system should be able to survive a daily or bi-weekly beating and not fray on the first or second week.
Military-grade and commercial-grade materials are more than welcome, in our opinion. The tougher they are, the better. This should apply to all the components in the equipment, from the cables to the frame and even the seats and thigh guards.
Price
It’s fine to spend a few dollars more for a branded piece of gym equipment than save money on a product that you haven’t tried yet. Value for money is the key element in a good lat pulldown machine- if it has a few more features and offers greater performance and durability, then the pulldown will be well worth your money and time.
Our list of the best lat pulldown machines has something for every budget, starting with premium high-end equipment to a supremely low-cost pulldown solution. In the end, all these machines have been rigorously tested and passed with flying colors.
Reviews
You can learn a lot regarding gym equipment from the online reviews of past customers. Things such as durability, performance, and things that aren’t mentioned in product descriptions will ultimately come in useful down the line.
We took the time to browse through reviews on the manufacturer’s official site, as well as aggregate review sites and even Amazon, to get an idea if a lat pulldown machine is worth the purchase. As a benchmark, lat pulldown equipment that had more negative and low reviews than positive ones were promptly axed.
Brand
You can’t go wrong with a trusted and reputable brand. A good name product has a higher chance of guaranteed satisfaction because the brand will strive to make quality equipment or else suffer a backlash.
Long-standing home gym manufacturers such as Bells of Steel, Rogue, Titan Fitness, and Rep Fitness get the nod from us because we know that their equipment will be better than half of what’s available out there. As we mentioned earlier, you’d be better off with a premium brand for choosing your next lat pulldown machine.
Benefits of Lat Pulldown Machines
Lat machines are an effective exercise tool for strengthening the back and core muscles and even hitting the biceps so you look good at the beach. This type of machine assists in developing a strong and powerful upper body, targeting the lats (latissimus dorsi), trapezius, rhomboids, and other relevant muscles. Additionally, lat pulldowns can help improve posture by teaching proper rowing and pull-up form.
They are also great for people who aren’t strong enough to do pull-ups but would like an exercise with similar benefits.
Using this machine also has numerous benefits, such as:
Increased Upper Body Strength and Power – Regular use of the lat pulldown machine can help build strength and power, especially in the back muscles. This is due to strengthening the lats, shoulders, traps, and other key muscles associated with pulling motions.
Enhanced Posture – Good posture is essential for reducing stress on the spine and avoiding chronic pain in the back. Lat pulldowns can help promote good form during rowing and pull-up motions, which will result in improved posture over time.
Increased Flexibility – Performing lat pulldown exercises regularly helps improve flexibility in the upper body and can help reduce the risk of injury.
Improved Core Strength – Lat pulldown machines work your entire core, including your abdominals, lower back muscles, and obliques. Strengthening these muscle groups helps keep your torso stable and balanced during exercises.
There are actually a few different types of lat pulldown machines on the market that you might want to consider.
Let’s go over each one individually:
Stand Alone Machines
If you just picture a typical lat pulldown machine in your head, this would probably be it. The pulley, the plates with the pin, and different handle attachments. You get it; most lat pulldown machines at the gym are stand-alone. It’s also the one I prefer.
Plate Loaded
This is basically the same as the stand-alone, but there are no weight plates and pin. You will need to put your own weights on instead. The main advantage of the plate loaded lat machine is that they are much cheaper and easier to put together. You do need to have weights to put on it, or you will need to buy some, though.
Power Rack Attachment
You can probably guess by the name these attach to a power rack. If you already have a power rack, then these are clearly the way to go. They are all plate loaded, and you will need your own bench to sit on if you are doing lat pulldown, but they are very economical and can be a great addition to your power rack to make it more versatile.
Leverage Lat Pulldown Machines
Leverage machines are the perfect way to target your lats for maximum effectiveness. With rotating handles, you’ll develop a strong yet comfortable grip and experience natural motion during each pulldown -ideal for honing in on isolated movements that pinpoint strength imbalances throughout your back muscles.
Wall Mounted
Wall-mounted lat pulldown machines mount to the wall if you couldn’t guess that from the name. These are less expensive and are more on the light-duty side. Also, make sure you do a good job mounting it to your wall, or you could have some real problems on your hand.
FAQ
Which version of lat pulldown is best?
Traditional lat pulldowns with a wide grip work the lats better than the close grip version, which hits the traps and the rhomboids a bit more. Most people would benefit from a combination of both.
What is the difference between lat pulldowns and pull-ups?
Lat pulldowns are an easier exercise than pull-ups, as you can adjust the weight to suit your strength level. Pull-ups require more core stability and balance, while lat pulldowns will allow you to focus on building your back muscles.
Are lat pulldowns good for building muscle?
Yes, lat pulldowns are a great way to strengthen and build your back muscles. Not only will you be strengthening the lats but also the other muscles associated with pulling motions, such as the shoulders, traps, biceps, and more. With regular use of this machine, you should see an increase in muscle size over time.
Is a pull-up better than a lat pulldown?
It depends. Pull-ups are a more challenging exercise because of the amount of resistance you have to overcome and the amount of core stability required. However, if you cannot do pull-ups yet or need to work on your form, then lat pulldowns would be a better option as they will give you an easier way to target the same muscles. Ultimately, each exercise has its own benefits and should be incorporated into your overall fitness routine.
Are lat pulldowns good for abs?
Yes, lat pulldowns can help to strengthen your entire core, including your abdominals, lower back muscles, and obliques. Strengthening these muscle groups helps keep your torso stabilized, which can improve your posture and balance in other exercises. Additionally, if you incorporate other ab exercises into your routine for additional core strengthening, the lat pulldowns will help you to work more effectively on those exercises as well.
Final Word
There you have the best lat pulldown machines for home gyms today. There should be something for every type of lifter as well as every budget on the list. We like the Lat Pulldown/Low Row from Bells of Steel as the best option overall due to its great quality and value, as well as the options that come along with it. There are other great machines on the list, though, be sure to pick the one that is best for you.
Ryan is a former college wrestler and lifelong fitness fanatic. He has run half marathons, done mud runs, placed in body transformation contests, coached wrestling, and now coaches girls’ soccer. Not to mention he has also tried literally hundreds of supplements over the years and has a vast and thorough supplement knowledge. He has written for Muscle & Strength, Testosterone Junkie, The Sport Review and other publications. He is also the editor-in-chief of this website and has over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Feel free to connect with him on his LinkedIn page below.
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