Alternative to the lat pulldown machine

[Gram Parsons]

I find the Lat Pulldown machine to be not quite in keeping with my body's mechanics.
I think I practice good form, but still it seems to place stresses on areas it shouldn't.
I don't know if it's due to my height (6ft 4) and slim build.

Anyway, does anybody else have an issue with the machine.
And are there any free-weight excersises I could do that would target the same muscles, but allow me to find my own 'groove' while doing them?

Cheers chaps!

[cncretecwbo]

wide grip pullups, same motion but a better exercise

[stormholloway]

Well what places does it put stress on? If you're doing it properly, lat pulldowns are essential. Make sure not to go behind the neck and also lean back slight, as there is a myth that the lats pull straight down, when in fact there is a slight angle toward the back.

The only "free weight" replacement would be pull ups, when you're strong enough do these. I do pull ups to failure then walk over to the lat pulldown and crank out more of those.

[Gram Parsons]

Cool,

I do assisted pullups because i'm not strong enough for pull ups on their own, well, no more than about six or something.

If lat pull downs are essential, I may persevere. Failing that, I'll just do more pull ups.

Cheers!

[stormholloway]

If you can do six pull ups then you're plenty strong enough. Do them twice a week for a month and the next month you'll be doing ten.

Just do 6, then add the assist bar and do 5-10 more. Do 4 or 5 sets twice a week. Focus on the muscle contraction rather than pulling yourself up, as there are ways to cheat.