Exercise guide
Straight-Arm Pulldown
The Straight-Arm Pulldown is a cable exercise that trains the lats without turning the movement into a conventional row or pulldown. The arms travel from an elevated position toward the thighs while the elbow angle stays nearly unchanged.
Training context
Keeping the Straight-Arm Pulldown Controlled
A stable torso and fixed elbow position keep the movement focused on shoulder extension. Excessive body movement, elbow bending, or pulling the bar behind the thighs changes the exercise and often reduces the useful range.
Choose a cable height and distance that provide tension at the top without pulling the shoulders into an uncomfortable position. Compare sets using the same attachment and stance.
Technique overview
Drive the bar toward the thighs with the lats
Step back from the high pulley and hinge slightly while keeping the torso braced. Maintain a soft, fixed bend in the elbows as the bar travels down toward the thighs. Pause without leaning farther forward or backward, then guide the cable upward under control until the lats are lengthened. Stop before the shoulders or lower back compensate for additional range.
Treat this as an overview and use a range, pace, and setup you can control.