Question

What instruction should be made to correct the performance of the lat pull-down exercise in the picture?

A. Grip the bar wider
B. Keep the elbows fully extended
C. Lean backward during the movement
D. Initiate the movement with the biceps

Answer 1

To properly perform a lat pull-down exercise, the correct instruction is to lean backward slightly during the movement to effectively engage the latissimus dorsi and maintain the focus of the exercise on the intended muscles.

Step-by-step explanation:

To correct the performance of the lat pull-down exercise depicted, the correct instruction would be lean backward during the movement (option C). This is because leaning back slightly engages the latissimus dorsi more effectively and allows for a better angle of pull, rather than overly relying on the biceps to initiate the movement. The goal is to use the lats primarily to pull the bar down to the upper chest region.

Initiating the movement with the biceps (option D) is a common mistake that shifts focus away from the intended muscle group. Keeping the elbows fully extended (option B) is incorrect as bending the elbows allows for proper activation of the lats during the exercise. Gripping the bar wider (option A) modifies the exercise but doesn't necessarily correct the performance; it targets different aspects of the lats.