If you had to pick between the two...

[Aggression]

If you had to pick between the two which exercise is better for the lats and back: Lat pulldowns (either wide or close grip) or seated cable rows?

My work schedule will be hectic this month so my lifting time is limited to 1-2 days a week.

If I was putting together a program, which one should I use to get the best results (lat width, thickness, etc.)?

[Juggernaut]

Pull ups....wide grip. Even if your not strong enough to do them, like I am, you can do the negative portion........I think it works the best.

[BigMike J]

I would go with seated cable rows.

[Juggernaut]

I would go with seated cable rows.

I can't believe you didn't agree with me! I am so never talking too you again. hahahahaha

BigGreen suggested the pull-ups too me and they've worked out great......and I had zero lats before. I had been doing rows and lat pull downs for a long while and needed something to jump start growth.

BigMike....yuo know I'm just kidding right?

[BigMike J]

I can't believe you didn't agree with me! I am so never talking too you again. hahahahaha

BigGreen suggested the pull-ups too me and they've worked out great......and I had zero lats before. I had been doing rows and lat pull downs for a long while and needed something to jump start growth.

BigMike....yuo know I'm just kidding right?

My post might be a bit biased.. i love seated rows.

[bluethunder]

Well if you do pull-downs behind the neck then seated rows are much better. But if you do them infront then either one is good. I do both but sometimes do not do the seated. Why not switch between the two?

[ToJuice,OrNotToJuice]

Throw aaway the machines and do pull-ups, weighted if you can, better than the other two. Throw in some bent over rows also

[Blown_SC]

Pull ups....wide grip. Even if your not strong enough to do them, like I am, you can do the negative portion........I think it works the best.

Agreed... I used to do pull-downs, and noticed a difference myself...

[Jock191]

Pull ups hands down. Any time you move your body though space its gonna to affect the area better than being stationary.. Thats why squats are better than leg press.

[nathanw21]

pull-ups are the best. if you cant do any start with the pulldowns and work your way up.

[Aggression]

Why does everyone say pullups are better than pulldowns?

[Anhydro78]

Pull ups are better than Pull downs. Pull downs are easier than pull ups. I can do weighted pullups for 12reps with a 75lb dumbell chained to me at 255lbs. I can do almost 400lb pulldowns.

I do nothing but free weight movements with lats.

wide grip pull ups
reverse grip pull ups
Barbell rows
Dumbell rows

[ImmmtheIceman]

pull ups/pull downs are way better than seated cable rows. mix it up every now and then to get best results

[ceasar250]

First thing I hit for back is pull ups, first set do as many as possible (wide grip, smooth and controlled), then I keep doing sets until I can only get one rep. Worked for me. Then hit the weights and machines for isolation.

[Mass Quest]

deadlifts.

[syncere]

and the winner is mass quest,your time is limited so don't waste it. DEADS

Build mass,...pullups make you wider..

deadlift over all thickness.."time is money without the change".