If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best lat pulldown machine is, then I’d recommend the X-Mark Lat Pulldown Machine as the best one.
If you’re looking to add more tools to your home gym then a lat pulldown machine is an essential piece of equipment.
In this article we are going to review the Top 5 Lat Pulldown Machines that you can include in your home gym today.
We’re going to give you an overview of what lat pulldown machines are, as well as the variety of upper body exercises that you can perform with it.
You’ll see what features should be included in the high-quality machines, so that you will be aware of what you should look for when your choosing the right machine for you.
In addition we will highlight 5 different, high-performing lat machines, going over their features strengths and weaknesses.
Finally, we’ll discuss our choice of the best lat pulldown machine from the list of machines provided.
Here are the top lat pulldown machines we’ll be reviewing:
- Powertec Fitness LAT Machine
- Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X LAT
- Akonza Home Workout Lat Pull-down Machine
- Valor Fitness CB-12 Lat Pulldown Machine
- XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable Machine
Lat Pulldown Machines: Ins And Outs
Before we get into discussing what the best lat pulldown machine is, we’ll start by actually discussing what a lat pulldown machine actually is.
It doesn’t really help you to get a machine if you don’t know what it does, and while some of you already know what lat pulldown machine does, some are also beginners.
What Are Lat Pulldown Machines?
Lat pulldown machines are cable-based weight machines that are primarily designed to strengthen and develop the muscles of the upper back.
The “lat” in the machine’s name refers to the latissimus dorsi muscles of the back, or the “wings” of the back.
As the name implies, these machines help you develop your back muscles by having you perform overhead pulldowns against the resistance of the weighted cable.
The cable is attached to a gripping bar that individuals grasp on to in order the weighted cable down.
The motions that are performed in lat pulldown workouts are very similar to pull ups, with some key differences.
For starters, lat pulldown machines use external weights to provide resistance, while pull-ups require you to use your own body weight as resistance.
Moreover, pull-ups require you to pull your body upward towards the pull-up bar while lat pulldowns have you pulling the weight down towards you.
What Else Can Lat Pulldown Machines Be Used For?
While the default design of a lat pulldown machine is geared towards developing your back, the best lat pulldown machine will allow you to perform exercises for a variety of different muscle groups.
People who use lat pulldown machines will often utilize the machine to perform tricep pushdowns as well.
However, many lat pulldown machines have a bottom pulley that is used to perform bicep curls and rowing exercises as well.
To add, lat pulldown machines can come with a variety of different gripping options.
The standard bar grip is useful for overhand and underhand gripping, while other grips all for neutral gripping (palms/fists facing one another).
There are even rope-based grips, which also create a neutral-grip position.
Now, before we go further, I want to clarify something important. We have mentioned that lat machines require you to perform exercises against a resisted, or weighted cable.
However, not all pulldown machines are weighted.
We will only be covering weighted machines here, so this shouldn’t be a big concern for you.
However, it is an important detail that we feel you should know.
Lat Pulldown Machines: The Features
Lat pulldown machines have specific features that help the exercise machine work optimally.
The four primary features of the machine are the bench, the pulley, weight stack and the gripping apparatus.
Bench
As we stated earlier, lat pulldown machines require you to pull weight toward you.
As such, lat pulldowns are performed in a seated position, and this position is why a bench in included in this particular piece of equipment.
The bench itself might seem like a rather simple part of the machine, but having the right bench in your machine can make a big difference in how well the machine works for you.
Because lat pulldowns require you to sit down to perform them, machines include bracers in front of the bench.
These bracers are designed to hold your legs in a seated position and to keep your body planted on the bench.
This is a very important feature because if you are pulling down a weight that is higher than your body weight, it can lift you off the bench seat itself.
In addition, many lat pulldown machines include benches with adjustable seats.
This feature is not only helpful for ensuring maximum comfort, but some adjusters allow you to move the bench seat to the side of the machine.
This allows you to perform standing exercises with free wide-open space.
Pulley
The pulley is the part of the machine that actually carries the weighted resistance that you use to train your muscles.
It is composed of a metallic cable which is attached to weight adjuster that is used to hold the particular weight you want to lift from the weight stack.
As stated earlier, some machines have both a pulldown pulley and a bottom pulley.
Not all lat pulldown machines have both pulleys, which is important to know when you are considering the variety of exercises you might want to perform.
Without a bottom pulley, you can’t perform bicep curls or rows.
Weight Stack
This portion of the machine is very obvious, but is critical to picking the right machine for you.
The weight stack is literally a stack of weighted plates that are designed to be pulled with the pulley rope.
These weights usually come with small holes that the rope’s weight adjuster can fit into so that you are pulling the desired weight you want.
Each machine has a specific weight limit that the machine can handle.
This is due to the tensile strength of the pulley rope as well as the design of the machine itself.
It’s important that you are aware of the weight limit of the machines you look at, at you want a machine that will hold enough weight for your training in the present as well as the future.
It helps to know that most machines require you to purchase weights separately.
Hand Grip
The gripping apparatus is the last critical piece of the machine, and is important to consider when you look at maximizing the variety of exercises you want to perform.
Most lat pulldown machines come is standard hand grip bar, but there are many other varieties to consider.
The standard hand grip bar, as stated earlier, allows for overhand gripping exercises and underhand gripping exercises.
These bars are also optimal for performing behind-the-neck pulldowns as well.
The v-bar hand grip comes in overhand-underhand grip varieties as well as also neutral grip varieties.
The neutral grip is when both palms facing each other, and having it available means that you have grips that cover all 3 gripping angles within your arms’ range of motion.
In addition to these, you also have rope hand grips.
These grips are useful because they allow you to maximize the range of motion in your arms while performing a particular exercise.
This adds new depth to your work outs.
Lastly, lat pulldown machines can utilize single-arm grips, which re designed for use by only one arm.
These grips usually provide the greatest range of motion for your exercises, so to important to know about.
Top 5 Best Lat Pulldown Machines
Now that you are aware of what lat pulldown machines are and the features that you want to look for in a quality machine, let’s take a look at the top 5 lat pulldown machines on the market today.
Powertec Fitness LAT Machine
Powertec is well-known for providing top-notch fitness equipment for home use.
As such, the Powertec Fitness LAT Machine is designed to cover all your lat machine needs.
Powertec’s machine is a heavy-duty apparatus with an impressive 500-lb weight capacity limit.
As such, you can be sure that this machine will cover your training needs for a long-time to come.
Both an upper and bottom pulley are included, which gives you access to a long list of upper-body training options.
In addition, Powertec includes foam bracers to ensure comfort and security while you perform your exercises.
For added convenience, the machine includes and adjustable seat that pivots outward or can be locked in place.
The outward pivot allows you maximum space to perform exercises in a standing position or rows where you are seated on the floor.
Weights are sold separately, but Powertec provides and expanded package, which includes a 190-lb stack upon request.
There are also two hands grips to cover rows, triceps pushdowns, lat pulldowns, and curls.
Pros
- Adjustable Seats
- 500-lb weight limit
- Two bars to cover all exercise types
- Bottom and upper pulleys
Cons
- Upper Cable is sometime unstable
- Expensive
Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X LAT
The Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X LAT is a highly-durable machine that holds a maximum weight of 250 lbs.
It includes both an upon and lower pulley bar, giving you the full list of exercises options that a lat machine has to offer.
This free-weight machine has foam bracers to ensure that you have comfort and security when performing your exercises on the bench.
In addition, the machine comes with a 10-year warranty for the machine frame, and 1-year warranty for the parts.
Pros
- 10-year Warranty
- Durable construction for long-time use
- Upper and lower pulley
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Somewhat low weight limit
Akonza Home Workout Lat Pull-down Machine
The Akonza Home Workout Lat Pull-down Machine is set to provide you with a long-lasting machine that will suit your needs for many years to come.
With a 395-lb weight capacity, you have a machine that can support your progress.
The machine is designed with a durable framework which includes both a high pulldown bar and a low rowing bar.
This gives you the entire range of exercises that you can perform with a lat machine, covering your back, biceps, triceps and shoulders.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
- 395-lb weight limit
- Good price
Cons
- Seat does not adjust
Valor Fitness CB-12 Lat Pulldown Machine
Valor Fitness CB-12 Lat Pulldown Machine shows you that you can even work your abdominal muscles with a lat machine.
With the inclusion of the Ab Harness, you now have an additional muscle group that the machine can help you strengthen.
The machine has a maximum weight capacity of 300-lb, which means that you have ample room for developing strong upper-body muscles.
To add to the variety, the bottom and upper pulley bars are adjustable, which allows you more exercise varieties.
There is a 3-year warranty for the frame, and a 1-year warranty for other parts.
Pros
- Adjustable Bars
- 3-year warranty on the frame
- Ab-Crunch attachment to train abs
Cons
- Somewhat low weight limit
- Static bench
XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable Machine
The XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable Machine is designed to satisfy your strength-building needs for a long time to come.
With a maximum weight capacity of 400 lbs., you can be sure that this machine will support your weight needs.
The machine contains both a low, rowing bar as well as a high, pulldown bar for maximum exercise variety.
In addition, the machines foot plate flips up so that you have extr bracing support for rows, or more foot space when performing cable curls.
Pros
- 400-lb weight capacity
- Adjustable foot plate for extra space and support
- Lifetime Warranty
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
Final Thoughts
Now that you have seen all the top 5 machines, it’s time to see which one is the best lat pulldown machine.
Before getting into that, there are some things to point out that are important for you to consider.
Lat pulldown machines, like many other exercise machines, require considerable investment.
Some machines can cost close to $1000, and most require you to purchase weights separately.
As such, you have to be mindful of the budget you have when you consider these machines.
From the list above, the best lat pulldown machine comes down to pricing, variety, and security of your purchase.
Since lat pulldown machines are expensive, you want to make sure that your machine is not only long-lasting, but backed by a warranty of some kind.
As such, there are actually two candidates that we choose for the best machine.
The Valor Fitness CB-12 Lat Pulldown Machine easily provides the largest variety of exercises, with adjustable gripping bars and an additional attachment for abdominal curls.
Although the maximum weight is only 300 lbs., the variety of exercises means that this machine has you covered on more levels than standard machines.
The second candidate is the XMark Heavy Duty Lat Pulldown and Low Row Cable Machine. While this machine is somewhat expensive, it has a 400-lb weight limit.
This means that your training resistance will last you for a long time, perhaps for the rest of your life.
In addition, it is the only machine with a lifetime warranty from the machines listed above.
This lifetime warranty is the difference maker, as you may never have to buy another machine again.
We hope that you have found great value with this review and that it helped you find the right lat machine for you!
