The lat pulldown gives the back one all-out set to failure with the load dialled to the pound. This reference covers setup, cadence, and where the set ends.
Published 3 August 2026 · 3 min read
Setup
Grip a touch wider than the shoulders, secure the thigh pad, chest tall, and pull toward the upper chest. This is the vertical partner to the HIT row.
Cadence
Lead with the elbows down and back, then control the bar all the way up to a full stretch. No torso swing — the swing steals the stimulus and hides where the single set actually ends.
The pulldown lets you set the load precisely and reach failure without being capped by bodyweight. It is the easier of the two to scale for a single all-out set.
How do I know I have hit failure on a pulldown?
When the bar stops short of the upper chest despite a full, honest pull — not when it merely gets hard. Do not cheat the last inches with body swing.
Failure Point is a training logbook, not medical advice. Training to failure carries injury risk; consult a physician before starting any intense training program.