TETSUCable Bar Lateral Pulldown vs Kipping Pull Up
The Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown and the Kipping Pull Up both train the lats as their primary muscle. The Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown uses a cable while the Kipping Pull Up is bodyweight-based (a bar, rings or a station). Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown | Kipping Pull Up | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | lats | lats |
| Body part | back | lats |
| Supporting muscles | biceps, rhomboids and rear deltoids | — |
| Equipment | cable | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 7 | 6 |
How each one starts
Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown — first steps
- Adjust the cable pulley to a high position and attach a straight bar.
- Sit facing the cable machine with your feet flat on the ground and your knees slightly bent.
Kipping Pull Up — first steps
- Hang from the bar with a grip slightly wider than shoulder width.
- Swing into a hollow position with your shoulders ahead of the bar.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. The Kipping Pull Up needs only a sturdy bar, rings or a station and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. 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
Is the Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown better than the Kipping Pull Up?
Neither is universally better — both train the lats as the primary mover. The Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion, while the Kipping Pull Up needs only a sturdy bar, rings or a station and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown and the Kipping Pull Up 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 Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown and the Kipping Pull Up work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the lats. Supporting muscles differ slightly — biceps, rhomboids and rear deltoids for the Cable Bar Lateral Pulldown versus minimal assistance for the Kipping Pull Up.
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.