How to choose a lat pulldown machine

Two questions decide it: do you already own one of our power racks or Smith machines, and do you want to load plates or pull a pin?

If you already own a power rack or Smith machine

A rack-mounted lat attachment is a complete pulley station (high and low pulley, cable, lat bar and row bar) that bolts onto your power rack or Smith machine. It adds lat pulldowns, seated rows and curls without taking up more floor space. Each one fits one rack only, so pick the one made for yours (see the table below). Looking for a lat bar, V-bar or handle instead? See our cable attachments.

Stand-alone machines for home gyms and studios

The Powerline PLM180X is our value pick: high and low pulleys, a lat bar and a low row bar, and room for up to 113 kg of plates. The Body-Solid GLM85B steps up to a no-cable-change design, so you move from pulldowns to rows without touching the cable. It takes up to 141 kg of plates, and you can add a 95 kg weight stack later.

Weight-stack machines for commercial gyms

The Body-Solid Pro ClubLine S2LAT has its own weight stack (72.5 kg or 106.6 kg, your choice) and two stations on one frame: a lat pulldown and a seated mid-row. It carries a lifetime frame warranty and is built for busy gyms.

Compare our lat pulldown machines

MachineResistanceMax loadSize (L × W × H)Rated forFrame warranty
Powerline PLM180XPlates (1″ posts)113 kg122 × 109 × 211 cmLight commercial10 years
Body-Solid GLM85BPlates (1″ horn); optional 95 kg stack141 kg137 × 114 × 208 cmLight commercialLifetime
Body-Solid Pro ClubLine S2LATWeight stack72.5 or 106.6 kg stack224 × 86 × 221 cmHeavy commercialLifetime

Which lat attachment fits my power rack or Smith machine?

Your rack or Smith machineLat attachmentPlates
Best Fitness BFPR100R Power RackBFLA1001″ Standard (Olympic with adapter sleeves)
Powerline PPR500X Half RackPLA500Olympic (2″)
Powerline PPR1000X Full CagePLA1000Olympic (2″)
Rugged Y120 Half RackY230Olympic (2″)
Rugged Y100 Full RackY210Olympic (2″)
Best Fitness BFSM250B Smith MachineBFLA250BOlympic (2″)
Powerline PSM200 Smith Machine PROPLT200Olympic (2″) and/or a PP10 weight stack

Lat pulldown machine FAQs

What is a lat pulldown machine good for?

It trains your lats, the big muscles that give your back its width, plus your upper back, rear shoulders and biceps. It is also the easiest way to build up to your first pull-up, because you can start with less than your bodyweight.

Should I buy a lat pulldown machine or a lat attachment?

If you already own one of the power racks or Smith machines above, the attachment costs less and uses no extra floor space. If you don't, choose a stand-alone machine: an attachment only fits the rack it was made for.

Plate-loaded or weight stack?

Plate-loaded machines cost less and use plates you may already own, but you change the weight by hand. A weight stack changes with the pull of a pin, which suits gyms where many people share the machine.

Do lat pulldown machines come with weights?

The PLM180X, GLM85B and all the lat attachments are plate-loaded, so plates are sold separately. The S2LAT comes with its own weight stack.

What else can I train on a lat pulldown machine?

Every machine here also has a low pulley or a row station, so you can do seated rows as well as pulldowns. Most also handle biceps curls and triceps press-downs.

Is delivery included?

Yes. Every machine and attachment ships free Australia-wide by freight from our Adelaide warehouse.