7 Best Weight Benches With Lat Pulldown (Full Body Workouts)

Weight Benches With Lat Pulldown Compared

Weight Benches & Lat Pulldown Bars (What Exactly Are They?)

A weight bench is an adjustable bench you sit or lay on to perform various lifts like bench presses. They are versatile seats that offer incline, flat, and chair positions. Many home gym systems are built around the benches, while other garage gym systems have benches as an accessory.

On the other hand, a lat pulldown machine is a pulley-operated system using cables, tension bars, or weight stacks that allow you to perform lat pulldowns, tricep pulls, rows, and even glute kickbacks with proper bar or rope attachments. 

If you're looking for just a lat pulldown machine, you can check out favorites here.

When you combine the two into a single unit (or as a part of a larger workout station), you can combine the benefits of a full-body workout in a single space. 

Choosing A Quality Weight Bench With Lat Pulldown

Before you head out to buy a combination workout station, there are several factors you need to consider. Below, we outline those factors and explain why they are essential for your needs. 

Weight Bench Configuration 

Weight benches aren’t just flat seats to use while lifting. They are an intricate part of your workout and, with the right configuration, can open up multiple workout variations. Adjustable incline benches allow you to perform chest expansions, bench presses, incline presses, and much more. 

There are also Olympic benches, flat benches, and various other styles. Finding the right one for your needs is crucial to your workout routine and can make a difference in your results. 

Size of Home Gym 

Home gym systems are popular for many reasons, and one of the top reasons is a smaller footprint. Being able to get a full-body workout in your living room opens up the home gym market to those that may not have a garage or basement. 

For more experienced lifters and those looking to replace a commercial gym, larger setups are common. Along with the floor space, you also need space around the equipment for storage and workout space, as well as overhead room for chin-ups and overhead lifting. 

Weight Capacity 

Another concern is the user weight limits. You want a bench and rack system that will be durable and perform well, but it also needs to support your weight and the weight you are lifting. Benches and full setups may be less expensive, but if they won't last or can't hold up, they are also pointless. 

Overall Construction Quality 

Durability and dependability are important when it comes to your bench. Of course, you want a comfortable seat with padding for your back and spine, but you also want it to last. Therefore, a good cover, professional-grade materials, and a solid frame should be a priority. 

For the lat pulldown, you want high-quality pulleys and durable cabling. The handles also need to have comfort grips or knurling to prevent slipping when your hands get sweaty.  

Ease of Assembly 

Most home gym equipment is built to last, but that means a lot of heavy-duty cabling, bolts, and steel parts. Assembly isn't always the easiest thing, and with pulley systems involved, the instructions for proper routing aren't always clear. 

Look for units that are pre-assembled, offer fewer assembly steps, or have clear instructions. Big-name brands will usually have a portion of their website dedicated to instruction videos for set up, assembly, and use. 

Stability & Durability 

You want a system that will be dependable, and that means heavy-duty parts, plus a wide base for racks and cages as well as high user and weight stack limits. Another tale-tell sign of good durability is the warranty coverage. The longer the coverage terms or, the more the company is willing to protect, the more durable the system will be (in most cases). 

Additional Exercise Options 

Aside from a bench and pulldown system, you may want or need more functionality. Look for complete systems or systems that have add-on accessories that you can upgrade to at a later date.  

Price 

Ultimately, the price will be a factor. Smaller budgets are best used on systems that can be upgraded over time instead of buying everything all at once. However, you want to be cautious of cheap setups. 

If you have to continuously replace equipment because it is cheap, you are best off waiting until you can afford a higher quality set. 

1. Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym

Bowflex is a name that almost everyone recognizes. If you don't, you probably don't watch late-night television. What you are missing is one of the leaders in home gym systems for the last few decades. 

The PR1000 home gym is a Bowflex machine in every way. The resistance band exercise machine uses multiple pulleys to allow you to perform a wide variety of workouts. The lat pull down portion is accomplished with two overhead pulleys and your choice of handles. 

You can use the bench seat with or without the leg press attachment to keep you in place and adjust your resistance level by adding or removing the power rods. 

Of course, there are a host of other exercises available, too; it is much more than a bench and lat pulldown machine. The PR1000 offers over 25 different activities focusing on the major muscle groups of your whole body, as well as cardio workouts. 

The bench seat is also convertible, so you can remove the bench portion and unlock the seat to use as a seated rower or cable row. Then, lock the seat in place and add the power rod pulleys to the leg press machine and get your leg day in as well. 

There really is nothing this machine can’t do well. The only limit is that of high resistance, where stronger users or powerlifters will want more. 

See our full review of the PR1000

2. Marcy Pro Full Cage With Bench & Lat Pulldown

Marcy is a well known name in the fitness industry. With everything from rowing machines to weight racks, they know a thing or two about working out. The Marcy Pro Home Gym System is just a sample of what they have to offer. 

The bench that comes with this cage is an incline bench that is fully adjustable. You can use it standard or reverse for close grip and wide grip lat pulldowns. The Olympic weight pulley system uses plate-loaded free weights instead of cabled weight stacks, so you have full control over the amount you are lifting. 

The single pulley system is smooth and effortless and offers no additional resistance aside from the weight you stack on. But this cage is a whole lot more, too. 

With a front mount pull-up bar, dip bars, J-cups, and plate storage, this cage has it all. Both upper and lower pulleys can use any standard 0.53-inch attachment, so your handle options are near limitless. With complete safety and durability in mind, this powder coated steel rack is designed to last, and it is backed by Marcy's 2-year warranty. 

3. Marcy Pro Deluxe PM-5108 With Lat Bar

The next Marcy Pro system is a half-rack cage that offers a full body workout station. Complete with a horizontal adjustable bench and dual pulley (upper/lower) Olympic plate stack, you can perform lat pulldowns, glute kicks, and any row you like. 

The highly durable bench offers a four-position adjustable back, 2-inch thick padding, and a leg lift station. It is not connected to the cage, either, so you can position it where and how you need it for any lift or movement you desire. 

Each arm on the Olympic guided weight trolley can hold 100 pounds, giving you ample weight for pulldowns and rows. It also comes with a standard lat pulldown bar, short bar, and cuff accessories for a multitude of bench and pulley exercises. 

Because it is from Marcy, you will get the standard 2-year warranty, brand recognition, and peace of mind. 

4. Marcy MWM-988 Multifunction Steel Home Gym

Marcy is here again, and this time with the Marcy Pro MWM-988 home gym. This all-in-one system really brings the gym to your home. It offers multiple pulleys for pulldowns, curls, leg lifts, and much more. 

The integrated bench isn't adjustable, but almost every other aspect of the machine is. For example, you can adjust the bar height, preacher curl pad height, leg press station pivot point, and more. 

It also features a dual-position press for chest press or flys. The 150 pound weight stack also comes with a lock, so it stays safe from smaller hands when you aren't using it. 

No matter what exercise you need to perform, there is an answer with this setup. You even get a full poster-sized placard to show you all of the sets and reps this machine is capable of. And of course, the name is Marcy, so you get the 2-year warranty along with everything else. 

We discuss this model in more detail here

5. Gold's Gym XRS 50

Gold's Gym may be the most famous name in fitness. However, they are quite popular with bench and lat pulldown systems, too. The XRS 50 is proof of that. 

This vinyl weight stack lift system is a lat pulldown machine on steroids (no pun intended). With a 2.1:1 ratio, the 112-pound weight stack lifts to a total of 280 pounds. It features three main stations centered around the stationary bench. 

First is the lat pulldown. With a full bar or rope handle options, you can pull down all day long. You can swap to the lower pulley for standing rows, hammer throws, and overhead swings. 

There are also press arms that function for chest presses or inward for chest fly movements. Finally, there is the leg press station that connects to the lower pulley as well and offers you leg lifts, glute kicks, and more. 

It has a smaller footprint compared to the Marcy systems and costs less, too. However, you only get a 90-day warranty, and there aren't any accessories or add-ons to go along with it. 

6. Sunny Health & Fitness Power Zone With Lat Pulldown

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Sunny Health & Fitness may be best known for their budget-friendly, entry-level workout equipment. If not, then they are best known for their reliable, sturdy, and dependable builds. 

Either way, the Power Zone rack system is something worth investigating further. This power rack is essentially a build your own style home gym setup. It features a lot of parts, and you can pick and choose which ones to include or not. 

The bench that comes with this setup is a 7-position highly adjustable horizontal bench. It has a leg press station attached and a wide base for stability. 

The lat pulldown station is technically an add-on to the cage but shows up with an upper and lower pulley system that can hold over 400 pounds of Olympic plate weights. Whether you want to perform a lat pulldown, leg lift, curl, glute kick, or hammer throw, this lat pulldown machine is going to handle it. 

The 1-year warranty is a little low for such a high quality build, but it is standard for Sunny Health & Fitness. This home gym setup will last you much longer than 12 months, though, so invest with confidence here. You won't regret it. 

7. Marcy 150LB Stack Home Gym Weight Bench

Rounding out our list is Marcy once again. This time with the MWM-4965 150 pound stack weight home gym system. This one is very similar to the earlier covered model, the MWM-988. It features the same style non-adjustable flat weight bench, dual-purpose chest press bar, and lat pulldown features. 

It also has the leg press, lower pulley, and full workout chart. And since it is made by Marcy, it also has their solid 2-year warranty. While the padding and design have a slight upgrade, these two machines are essentially the same, with one large, glaring exception. 

The MWM-4965 has a center pulley. Utilizing this pulley, you can now perform ab exercises crunches, overhead throws, and more. A sleeker design, a newer model, and added functionality. All for a slightly lower price point. What’s not to love? 

Correct Technique For A Seated Lat Pulldown 

Performing a seated lat pulldown has great benefits for your back. It is a relatively simple exercise, but it requires proper form and technique. Below are the steps for a lat pulldown. 

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What other exercises can you do with a weight bench and lat pulldown? 

You can perform a wide variety of exercises, including triceps and bicep rows, triceps pulldowns, hammer throws, and with the right attachments, you can do glute kickbacks and other leg lifts. 

Do lat pulldowns help increase your bench press? 

Under normal circumstances, the lats are a pulling muscle while the bench press focuses on pushing muscles. However, for weight lifters and powerlifters, high weights on the lat pulldown can increase the overall strength of the forearms and biceps, allowing you to push more while performing a bench press. 

Can you just buy a weight bench and a lat pulldown machine separately? 

Yes, you can, and depending on your set up you may need to. If you are starting out and buying new equipment, the right lat pulldown machine will have a bench since it is basically required. However, if you already have a rack or cage, you can buy a lat pulldown add-on that attaches to the cage frame. In this instance, it won't come with a bench, so you will need to have one already or buy it separately. 

Conclusion

Weight benches with lat pulldowns are a great way to get a full-body workout at home without using much space. You can save money with a simple all-in-one system such as those found on our list, but you also save floor space. 

If you are still on the fence about which model is best for you, take another look at our top pick. The Bowflex PR1000 Home Gym has everything you need for a proper lat pulldown, plus 25 more other full-body exercises to keep you in shape and growing in strength right from your own home.