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Cable Bar Straight Arm Pull Down

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Intermediate

Cable straight-arm pulldown that targets the lats and rear delts to build back hypertrophy; isolates shoulder extension with a controlled arm path.

About Exercise

Equipment

Single Cable Machine

Difficulty

2/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Lats

Secondary Muscles

Traps, Forearms

Accessory Muscles

Abs

Popularity Score

8

Goals

Hypertrophy
Strength

Training Style

Bodybuilding

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Lats

10/10

Teres Major

Shoulders

7/10

Rear Delts

Traps

4/10

Lower Traps

Forearms

3/10

Abs

2/10
Programming

Typical Rep Range

8-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-90 seconds

How to Perform

Attach a straight bar to the high pulley of a cable machine. Stand facing the stack, feet shoulder-width apart, and hinge forward slightly at the hips with arms extended overhead.

  1. Grip the bar overhand slightly wider than shoulders.
  2. Brace core and depress scapulae.
  3. Pull the bar down in an arc toward thighs.
  4. Keep arms straight with a soft elbow bend.
  5. Squeeze lats hard at the bottom position.
  6. Return bar slowly to overhead starting position.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Keep arms straight
  • Depress shoulders
  • Hinge at hips
  • Lead with elbows
  • Core tight

Breathing

Exhale as you pull the bar down; inhale as you return to the starting position.

Tempo

3-1-1

Range of Motion

Start with arms fully extended overhead to feel a stretch; end with the bar touching or near the thighs.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Maintain a neutral spine throughout
  • Avoid heavy swinging
  • Stop if shoulder pain occurs

Spotting

Not recommended; use machine safeties if available.

Common Mistakes

  • Bending elbows excessively
  • Using momentum to swing
  • Shrugging shoulders up
  • Rounding the lower back

When to Avoid

  • Shoulder impingement
  • Acute back pain
  • Elbow injuries

Flexibility Needed

  • Shoulder flexion to 180 degrees

Build Up First

  • Basic lat pulldown form
  • Core bracing competency

Also known as

Straight-Arm Lat Pulldown, Straight-Arm Cable Pulldown, Cable Pullover, Standing Cable Pullover

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