What does behind the neck lat pulldowns work?

People opt for the behind the neck lat pulldown because of the specific movement. It activates many of the muscles in your back like a standard pulldown but also activates your shoulder muscles. If performed correctly, it can help strengthen your upper body and improve your overall functionality.

Are behind the neck lat pulldowns bad?

They further concluded that behind-the-neck pulldowns should be avoided, but they admitted that research shows that there is no risk of shoulder injuries (as many falsely claim) with this version of the exercise.

Should you retract your scapula when lat pulldown?

After you depress your shoulder blades to begin a lat pulldown, focus on retracting, or pulling your shoulder blades together. Working your middle trapezius—a tough muscle to target—can add bulk to the region between your shoulder blades and improve your posture, says Brun.

Should lat pulldown be in front or behind head?

In conclusion passing the bar behind the head is less effective in terms of strengthening the latissimus dorsi muscle and poses distinct injury risks. So pass the bar in front of your head when doing the lat pull down.

Is rear pull down good?

According to research, one is much more effective—and safer—than the other! The pull-down is a staple lat exercise, especially for anyone not yet strong enough to do pull-ups. They argue that behind-the-neck pull-downs aren’t as effective as front pull-downs and may even lead to injury.

Why do people behind-the-neck press?

Having behind the neck pressing as part of your training reduces the amount of punishment your shoulders take over time: always pressing in front of your body overloads your anterior deltoids. Including behind the neck pressing will help you have a more complete training program.

What type of movement is lat pulldown?

It performs the functions of downward rotation and depression of the scapulae combined with adduction and extension of the shoulder joint. The cable lat pull-down is done where the handle is moved via a cable pulley, as opposed to doing pull-downs on a leverage machine.

Are lat pulldowns worth it?

Both of the exercises are great for your back, and particularly your lats; that goes without saying. The pulldown is still worth doing, especially to build up to a pull-up, or to really overload your back afterwards too, but it just isn’t on the same level as the pull-up.