The lat pulldown is a compound exercise, meaning it works several joints at once -- and thus, several muscles. While the latissimus dorsi is the primary muscle worked, the biceps and muscles of the forearm act as helpers. Several of the muscles of the rotator cuff also assist as you pull the bar down.
Similarly, you may ask, do lat pulldowns work your chest?
The lat pull down gets its name from the primary muscle it targets: the latissimus dorsi. Multiple other muscles assist and stabilize during this cable-based exercise, including the pectoralis minor. The pectoralis major, the primary chest muscle is not activated during the lat pulldown.
Do lat pulldowns work your triceps?
The lat pulldown exercise strengthens your latissimus dorsi, the largest muscle in your back. A lat pulldown bar resembles a pullup bar. The triceps are not involved in this back pulldown. You use your upper and middle back, rotators in your shoulders and the front of your upper arm, the biceps.
What does the pull down bar workout?
The lat pulldown is a basic upper body strength exercise that targets the upper back. The exercise also improves stability in the lower back and core. Sit at a lat pulldown station and grab the bar with an overhand grip that's just beyond shoulder width.