Back Machines

A back pull machine gives your lats, mid-back and rear shoulders a guided handle or lever to pull against, from overhead pulldowns to chest-supported rows. This collection covers lat pulldowns, seated, high and T-bar rows, back extensions and combo lat/row stations, with Muscle D Fitness and Body-Solid making up most of the range. Ropeflex rope pullers and Body-Solid home gyms with built-in lat pulldown stations round it out.

How to choose a back pull machine

• Lat pulldowns (vertical pull). Iso-lateral arms let each side work on its own, as on the plate-loaded Muscle D Excel Iso-Lateral Front Lat Pulldown with gas-shock seat adjustment. The Muscle D Elite Plus Lat Pulldown is the pin-selectorized, commercial route. For a home setup, the Body-Solid Powerline PLM180X lat pulldown machine takes plates on 1-inch posts, holds up to 250 lb and includes a lat bar and a low row bar.
• Rows (horizontal pull). The Power Leverage V2 Linear Bearing Row runs on linear bearings with four grip options and built-in plate storage. The Muscle D Pro Strength Dynamic Row is chest-supported, with an adjustable bench angle and height and a folding bench so you can switch to shrugs, deadlifts and single-arm work. The Body-Solid STBR500B T-bar row machine leaves the middle of the platform open and gives you 16 inches of knurling on each side of the handle for wide or close grips.
• Lat/row combos. The Body-Solid Pro ClubLine SLM300G lat mid row moves from pulldowns to seated rows without a cable change and uses an extra-long bar for wide, medium or narrow grips. Muscle D's Vogue and Elite Plus lines add pin-selectorized lat/low row combos.
• Lower back and hinge. The Muscle D back extension bench is a Roman chair design, joined here by a selectorized 45-degree loaded back extension and Body-Solid's Pro ClubLine glute ham machine.

A few Excel Iso-Lateral and Power Leverage V2 pressing and leg machines are listed here too.

Trainer's take: cover both pull directions

As a certified personal trainer, I build back setups around two patterns: a vertical pull such as a pulldown and a horizontal pull such as a row. Add a hinge such as a back extension and the basics are covered. If space allows only one back pull machine, a lat/row combo gets both patterns from one footprint.

On a pulldown, lock the thigh pads down firmly and pull toward your upper chest. On a chest-supported row, let the pad hold your torso so your back, not momentum, moves the handles. Check ceiling height before you buy: the PLM180X stands 81 inches tall and the SLM300G 83 inches. Progress by adding reps within a set range before adding plates, and change grips every few weeks.

Back pull machine FAQ

What is a back pull machine?

It is a catch-all name for machines where you pull a handle toward your body: lat pulldowns, seated or low rows and T-bar rows. Rope pullers swap the handle for a continuous rope.

What is the difference between a lat pulldown and a seated row?

A lat pulldown pulls from overhead down toward the chest, while a seated row pulls horizontally toward the torso. Combo stations such as the SLM300G let you do both.

Which lat pulldown machine fits a home gym?

Compact plate-loaded units such as the Body-Solid PLM180X (48 by 43 inches) or GLM83 (60 by 32 inches) fit many home gyms. Check that your ceiling clears their 81- to 82-inch height.

What is a linear row machine?

It is a row that slides on linear bearings rather than swinging on a pivot. The Power Leverage V2 Linear Bearing Row adds four grip options and an adjustable foot plate and support pad.

Round out your pulling work with our rope pulling machines for conditioning-style pulls, or target the back of the shoulder with rear delt machines. Our ab machines include ab/back combos. For a broader look at strength gear, see the strength equipment buying guide.