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Exercise library

Towel Overhead Pulldown

Back · Vertical pull

Generic vertical pull demo. Follow the steps below for this exact exercise.

Vertical pullCompound

A self-resisted lat pulldown using a towel pulled tight between your hands, so no equipment is needed.

Difficulty
Very easy
Tracking
Measured in reps

Muscles worked

BackBicepsShoulders

Equipment

Bodyweight

How to do it

  1. Stand or kneel tall and hold a towel overhead with your hands wider than your shoulders.
  2. Pull the towel apart hard so your arms work against each other and stay under tension.
  3. Keeping that tension, pull the towel down in front of your face to collarbone height by driving your elbows down and back.
  4. Press it back overhead under control without letting the towel go slack.

Coaching cues

  • The harder you pull the towel apart, the harder the set becomes.
  • Keep your ribs down and avoid leaning back as you pull.