The close-grip lat pulldown is the same pull to the chest with your hands closer: a longer elbow path and more biceps work.
1Starting positionStart2End positionFinish
Setup
Sit with your knees under the pads. Take the bar overhand slightly narrower than your shoulders, or use a narrow handle. Lean back just a little, chest up.
Execution
Sit down, take the narrow handle with an overhand grip — starting position.
Exhale and pull it down to your upper chest, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
Inhale and let it rise back up, fully stretching your lats.
Common mistakes
Pulling with your arms while your shoulder blades stay put — start by drawing them down.
Leaning back so far it becomes a row — keep the lean small and steady.
Flaring your elbows — with a narrow grip they travel down and slightly forward.
Letting the bar fly up — let the lats stretch at the top under control.
