Hammer Strength Iso-Lateral Wide Pulldown

The Hammer Strength Plate Loaded Iso-Lateral Wide Pulldown is a lat pulldown machine whose work arms rotate backwards, upwards and outwards. That gives you a pulling movement which works the upper back differently from a straight pulldown on a cable. With an underhand grip and a separate handle on each side, this machine is intended for the serious home gym, the personal training studio or the semi-professional space where back training goes further than a few sets on a pulley.

Iso-Lateral Wide Pulldown at a glance

• Work arms rotate backwards and upwards: a pulling path that loads the upper back differently from a straight pulldown, so extra variation in your back programme.
• Underhand grip: gives a natural movement path that suits the latissimus well.
• Extra handle on each side: gives you something to hold during single arm exercises, so you stay sitting stable when you pull on one side only.
• Separate storage pegs on each side: these make both diverging and converging movements possible, each loaded independently.
• Iso-lateral on each arm: each side moves separately, so your weaker side is not dragged along by the strong one.
• Starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm: unloaded the machine moves almost weightlessly, which suits technique and warm-up sets.
• Five 20 kg plates per arm: up to 100 kg a side, so there is room to keep building for years.
• 11-gauge steel with powder coating: heavy gauge steel with an electrostatically applied layer, built for intensive use.

A pulling path that hits the upper back differently

On a straight cable pulldown the bar comes straight down and the movement stays in one plane. Here the work arms rotate backwards, upwards and outwards, so the shoulder blades go through a rotation as well. That brings the upper back more into play in the end position, not just the latissimus. For anyone who has been doing pulldowns for years and notices the back growing in width but not in thickness, that is often the missing angle.

Underhand grip and single arm pulling

The underhand grip is a deliberate choice because it keeps the movement path natural for the latissimus. Your wrist and elbow stay in line with the pulling direction, which keeps the force at the back rather than at the forearm. There is also an extra handle on each side. If you pull one armed, you hold on to that so your torso stays stable instead of rotating with the movement. That makes targeted single arm sets genuinely workable rather than a balancing exercise.

Loading resistance and variation

Each side has its own storage pegs and is loaded separately, which makes both diverging and converging movements possible. So you can pick a different weight on each side, for example to bring a lagging side back up. The starting resistance is 0.9 kg per arm, so unloaded the machine moves almost weightlessly and the first warm-up set is worthwhile. Per arm you load a maximum of five 20 kg plates, so 100 kg a side. Because you load with plates rather than a weight stack, the resistance registers from the first centimetre of the pull.

Construction, space and set-up

The frame is built from 11-gauge steel with an electrostatically applied powder coating, chosen for adhesion and wear resistance in daily use. The machine measures 180 cm long, 112 cm wide and 201 cm high, and weighs 139 kg. That height of 201 cm is the first thing to check: in a basement or garage with a lowered ceiling you will run into it sooner than you will run out of width. At 112 cm wide the machine is actually compact, and thanks to its 139 kg unit weight it stands stable on a level surface.

Worth knowing

Weight plates are not included and because each side is loaded separately, you need the weight twice over. The 201 cm build height calls for a room with a normal to high ceiling. Beyond that, this is a machine for upper body pulling work: for pushing work, legs and core you will need additional equipment. At 139 kg it is also not a machine you move regularly, so choose a permanent spot in advance.

Frequently asked questions about the Iso-Lateral Wide Pulldown

What is the difference from an ordinary lat pulldown on a cable?

The movement path and the loading. On a cable pulldown the bar comes straight down and the movement stays in one plane, whereas the work arms here rotate backwards, upwards and outwards. That gives the shoulder blades rotation as well and brings the upper back more into play in the end position. On top of that each side is loaded separately and each arm moves independently, where a cable bar links both sides together.

How much weight can I load?

Per arm you load a maximum of five 20 kg plates, so 100 kg a side, on top of a starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm. Plates are not included and you need them twice over because both sides are loaded separately. If you want 60 kg per arm, you buy 120 kg of plates. The machine has six storage pegs so the weight stays within reach.

How much space and height do I need?

The machine measures 180 x 112 x 201 cm and weighs 139 kg. The height of 201 cm is usually the limiting factor, so measure your ceiling before you order. At 112 cm wide the machine is actually compact. On top of that allow around half a metre of clear space on both sides to change plates and to get in and out.

What is the extra handle for?

It gives you something to hold during single arm exercises. If you pull on one side only, your torso wants to rotate with the movement and force is lost to stabilising. By taking the extra grip with your free hand you stay sitting straight and keep the tension at the back. That way you can train up a lagging side in a targeted way without it turning into a balancing exercise.

Is this machine suitable for beginners?

Yes, the guided movement path takes over the stabilising you have to do yourself with free weights. With a starting resistance of 0.9 kg per arm you can go through the movement unloaded before you add plates. The underhand grip is the easiest grip for most people to feel the back working. That said, this is professional equipment, so for someone just starting out the investment is substantial.

Can I load a different weight on each side?

Yes, each side has its own storage pegs and is loaded independently. That is handy if your left side falls behind in the last reps: you load that side lighter, or add an extra set on it instead. It also makes both diverging and converging movements possible. In practice you mainly use this to even out a left to right difference rather than magnify it.