Close-grip pulldown alternatives

A standard pulldown changes hand spacing, and a single-arm pulldown separates the sides. Chin-ups provide an underhand overhead pull from a fixed bar.

The original uses a close overhand grip on a curved bar and a seated thigh pad. These alternatives change grip, arm count or which end of the pull moves; use a separate load or assistance history.

Anatomical illustration of a seated close overhand-grip cable pulldown shown overhead and at the upper chest, with the back and upper arms highlighted.
What equipment can you use?

Choose everything you have. Some exercises need two items, such as dumbbells and a flat bench. Choose floor space for options without equipment.

Your replacements

Choose your equipment above to see replacements.

Compare all alternatives

These options need different equipment. Use the finder above to show only the setups you can use.

  • Two frames of an anatomical illustration of a seated cable lat pulldown, seen from behind. On the left the lifter sits on a flat bench facing a weight-stack machine with both arms straight overhead, gripping a wide cambered lat bar overhand at more than shoulder width; the bar hangs from a single cable over the head. On the right the bar has been pulled down in front of the head to shoulder height, elbows driven down and out to the sides, the middle of the bar hidden by the head and shoulders because it passes in front of the body. Shaded in red across both frames: the latissimus dorsi sweeping from the lower back up to the armpit, the teres major and the muscles between the shoulder blades, the whole trapezius from the neck down to mid-back, the rear shoulders and the upper arms. The spinal column strip and the legs are left unshaded.

    Similar movement

    Lat pulldown

    You need: Lat pulldown station with bar, seat and thigh pad

    Why it fits
    Keeps a seated two-arm overhand pulldown.
    What changes
    Use the guide’s slightly wider-than-shoulder grip and snug thigh pad. Its illustration lacks the pad; follow the written support and pull the bar in front of the face.
    See exercise guide
  • Anatomical illustration of a seated one-arm cable pulldown shown with the arm overhead and pulled down beside the torso, with the working-side back highlighted.

    Similar movement

    Single-arm lat pulldown

    You need: Adjustable cable pulley set high + Single cable handle

    Why it fits
    Keeps an overhead cable pull toward the side of the torso.
    What changes
    Sit or kneel under one high handle and keep the torso nearly still. One arm works at a time, replacing the shared close-grip bar; complete both sides.
    See exercise guide
  • Two rear-view anatomical illustrations of a man performing an underhand chin-up on a fixed bar against a white background. In the left frame he hangs with straight arms and hands about shoulder width apart, the backs of his hands facing the viewer because his palms face him. In the right frame his elbows are bent beside his torso and his chin reaches the bar. His knees stay slightly bent and his feet overlap behind him in both positions. Red shading covers the latissimus dorsi along both sides of the back, the upper and middle back around the shoulder blades, the rear shoulders, and the upper-arm and forearm areas around the elbow flexors; the legs are unshaded.

    Similar movement

    Chin-up

    You need: Pull-up bar

    Why it fits
    Keeps overhead pulling with elbow flexion.
    What changes
    An underhand fixed bar replaces the close overhand cable bar. Your body rises toward the hands; bodyweight loading and hanging grip change the task.
    See exercise guide
See the original exercise guide

How we choose replacements

These are curated alternatives, chosen for the movement and the job the exercise does in a workout. A shared muscle group is not enough. Read what changes before choosing: support, range of motion, balance and resistance can all differ. If your goal is to improve a specific lift, alternatives do not replace practice of that lift.

Explore alternatives by exercise