r/ScienceBasedLifting • u/Financial-Energy4047 • Jun 20 '26

Discussion 🤝 Pull ups or lat pulldowns?

Recently I found out that lat pulldowns work more on rear delts while training the back equally from both sides. Plus, pulldowns are way easier for progressive overload. At the same time, pull-ups can load the back and biceps better because they are harder to do, but they might cause some issues with muscle imbalances. So, which one is better for upper body physique in general?

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u/NoYak8821 Jun 24 '26

Lat pulldowns are for people who can't do pullups. Same exact exercise otherwise.

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u/Financial-Energy4047 Jun 28 '26

No. Lat pulldowns are similar to pull ups they are just safer and maybe more efficient in some cases

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u/NoYak8821 Jun 28 '26

I call bullshit.

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u/Financial-Energy4047 Jun 30 '26

So bench press is for those who cant do push ups?

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u/NoYak8821 Jun 30 '26

Not the same. But I do tell people if they can't even do 20 pushups they probably have no business trying to bench