Lat Pulldown

Sports therapy isn’t just about treating injuries with massage. It is also about teaching how to prevent performance limiting injuries through correct technique and posture, so that the client can continue to reach their goals, and become fitter and stronger. This “Gains without Pains” series of posts will take common exercises done in the gym and look at correct posture and technique in order to reduce the risk of injury.

 LAT PULLDOWN 

BENEFITS

 - works the back and arms 

 COMMON MISTAKES

 - pulling the bar down behind you can push the head forward, straining the shoulders and neck - 

• no core activation results in back-bending, excessive internal rotation of the shoulder and over-activation of the upper trapezius, which provide minimal benefit to the lats and increase stress on the spine, neck and shoulder joint, increasing the risk of pain and injury. 

GOOD TECHNIQUE

 - bring the bar down in front of your body 

• Keep the shoulders back and down 

• lean slightly back from the hips 

• pull the bar towards the chest 

• brace the core muscles 

• do not arch the back