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Exercise Comparison

Cable Incline Pushdown vs V-Bar Pullup

Cable Incline Pushdown - starting position
Cable Incline Pushdown - ending position
Cable Incline Pushdown
beginner·Cable·isolation
V-Bar Pullup - starting position
V-Bar Pullup - ending position
V-Bar Pullup
beginner·Bodyweight·compound

Side-by-Side

Cable Incline Pushdown
VS
V-Bar Pullup
beginner
Level
beginner
Cable
Equipment
Bodyweight
isolation
Mechanic
compound
pull
Force
pull
Strength
Category
Strength
lats
Primary
lats
None
Secondary
bicepsmiddle backshoulders

Muscle Analysis

Shared

lats

Only in V-Bar Pullup

bicepsmiddle backshoulders

Instructions

Cable Incline Pushdown

1

Lie on incline an bench facing away from a high pulley machine that has a straight bar attachment on it.

2

Grasp the straight bar attachment overhead with a pronated (overhand; palms down) shoulder width grip and extend your arms in front of you. The bar should be around 2 inches away from your upper thighs. This will be your starting position.

3

Keeping the upper arms stationary, lift your arms back in a semi circle until the bar is straight over your head. Breathe in during this portion of the movement.

4

Slowly go back to the starting position using your lats and hold the contraction once you reach the starting position. Breathe out during the execution of this movement.

5

Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

V-Bar Pullup

1

Start by placing the middle of the V-bar in the middle of the pull-up bar (assuming that the pull-up station you are using does not have neutral grip handles). The V-Bar handles will be facing down so that you can hang from the pull-up bar through the use of the handles.

2

Once you securely place the V-bar, take a hold of the bar from each side and hang from it. Stick your chest out and lean yourself back slightly in order to better engage the lats. This will be your starting position.

3

Using your lats, pull your torso up while leaning your head back slightly so that you do not hit yourself with the chin-up bar. Continue until your chest nearly touches the V-bar. Exhale as you execute this motion.

4

After a second hold on the contracted position, slowly lower your body back to the starting position as you breathe in.

5

Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.

Verdict

Both exercises target the lats. Cable Incline Pushdown is a beginner exercise using cable, while V-Bar Pullup is beginner and uses bodyweight. Choose Cable Incline Pushdown if you have access to cable, or V-Bar Pullup if you prefer bodyweight. V-Bar Pullup is a compound movement working multiple joints, making it better for overall strength. Cable Incline Pushdown isolates the target muscle for focused development.

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