TETSUBench Pull-Ups vs Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown
The Bench Pull-Ups and the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown both train the lats as their primary muscle. The Bench Pull-Ups are bodyweight-based (a bar, rings or a station) while the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown uses a cable. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Bench Pull-Ups | Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | lats | lats |
| Body part | back | back |
| Supporting muscles | biceps and forearms | biceps, rhomboids and rear deltoids |
| Equipment | bodyweight | cable |
| Steps in our guide | 7 | 7 |
How each one starts
Bench Pull-Ups — first steps
- Position yourself under a bar or a sturdy horizontal surface that is at chest height.
- Grab the bar or surface with an overhand grip, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown — first steps
- Attach a cable handle to each side of a cable machine at shoulder height.
- Stand in the middle of the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Bench Pull-Ups need only a sturdy bar, rings or a station and scale through leverage, tempo and reps. The Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the lats adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Are the Bench Pull-Ups better than the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown?
Neither is universally better — both train the lats as the primary mover. The Bench Pull-Ups need only a sturdy bar, rings or a station and scale through leverage, tempo and reps, while the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Bench Pull-Ups and the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the lats. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Bench Pull-Ups and the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the lats. Supporting muscles differ slightly — biceps and forearms for the Bench Pull-Ups versus biceps, rhomboids and rear deltoids for the Cable Cross-Over Lateral Pulldown.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.