Cable Straight Arm Pulldown

Stand facing the cable machine with feet shoulder-width apart. Grasp the cable attachment with an overhand grip. Keep arms straight and pull the cable down towards your thighs. Slowly return to starting position and repeat.

How to perform the Cable Straight Arm Pulldown

  1. Set up. Set up in a stable, balanced starting position appropriate for the Cable Straight Arm Pulldown using your cable.
  2. Brace and execute. Brace your core, control the descent, and move through a full pain-free range of motion while emphasizing your latissimus dorsi.
  3. Reset. Reverse the movement under control and reset between repetitions, keeping your form crisp on every rep.

Coaching cues

  • Move with intent — every rep should feel deliberate, not rushed.
  • Drive force through your latissimus dorsi rather than momentum.
  • Keep your breathing steady: exhale on the hard part, inhale on the reset.

Common mistakes

  • Using too much weight and losing positional control.
  • Cutting the range of motion short and missing the target muscle.
  • Letting your spine round or hyperextend instead of staying neutral.

Detailed cues, common mistakes, and demonstration video are available in the Fitly app.

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Variations of Cable Straight Arm Pulldown

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