Synergists: Brachialis, Brachioradialis, Levator Scapulae, Teres Major, Middle and Lower Trapezius, Rhomboids, Posterior Deltoid, Sternal (Lower) Pectoralis Major, Pectoralis Minor
Dynamic stabilizers: Biceps Brachii, Triceps Brachii (long head only)
Mechanics: Compound
Force: Pull
Starting position
Attach a stirrup (handle) to two high cable pulleys.
Position a bench or chair midway between the two pulleys.
Grasp a stirrup in each hand and sit directly under the pulleys, holding the stirrups using a neutral (aka parallel) grip (palms facing each other). The cables should be pulled taut, your arms should be fully extended, and your shoulders should be stretched upward.
Execution
Exhale as you pull the stirrups downward until your elbows are by your sides.
Hold for a count of two, stick out your chest, and squeeze your back muscles.
Inhale as you return the stirrups to the starting position, with your arms fully extended and shoulders stretched upward.
Repeat.
Comments and tips
Keep your back and neck neutral.
Pull with your elbows, not with your biceps.
The double cable neutral-grip lat pull-down is a brilliant exercise with which you can build your back and arm muscles and develop upper-body strength.
The exercise can also be performed unilaterally (i.e. one side at a time). Therefore, to get the benefits of both worlds, you should sometimes perform it unilaterally.
Instead of sitting on a bench, you can just kneel on the floor. See the video.
