Why do bodybuilders still do rear lat pulldowns even with the inhury factor taken into consideration?

Question

I have been told that rear lat pulldowns restrict movement of body and can injury someone but also I have been told that this exericse is what really make large shoulders. Does this exercise really make massive shoulders? What is the value added in this particular exercise? Why do bodybuilders do this exercise? Are men just stupid or is there some hidden advantage to this exercise?

Answer 1

most bodybuilders don't do them. very few people do them these days even you really only see newbies in the gym doing them

Answer 2

Most people don't do this exercise these days, especially those who are knowledgeable bodybuilders. I learned the hard way as a newbie lifter years ago when I injured a rotator cuff while doing these, which knocked me out of many of my workouts for a couple months. Doing rear pulldowns puts a lot of strain on the shoulders (rotator cuffs) due to the mechanics of the exercise, as the stresses increase greatly as weight is added. As mentioned above, the only ones I see doing this lift are inexperienced and ignorant lifters.

For pulldowns, the front variety is the best choice. Pullups are an even better choice but most people can't do enough of these to get an effective workout until they can work up to them doing exercises such as pulldowns.

Answer 3

alot of the pro bodybuilders still do them. every exercise has a risk factor. if you do the exercise with proper form you are safe. lat pulls do not realy work your shoulders. they work your back and traps.