{"id":26201,"date":"2026-08-05T00:02:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T00:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=26201"},"modified":"2026-08-05T00:02:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T00:02:59","slug":"dorian-yates-reveals-why-theres-no-better-lat-exercise-than-the-machine-pullover-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=26201","title":{"rendered":"Dorian Yates Reveals Why There’s No Better Lat Exercise Than the Machine Pullover \u00a0 \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dorian Yates<\/a> is still sharing the secrets behind his insane back development. In a July 31 Instagram post, the six-time Mr. Olympia broke down why there is no better lat exercise than the machine pullover.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

After Lee Haney<\/a>\u2018s eight-year Mr. Olympia<\/a> reign, Dorian Yates took over as champion. He completely transformed the Men\u2019s Open landscape, ushering in a new era defined by freakish size and density. Throughout his career, Yates denied top talent from earning the Sandow trophy, including Kevin Levrone<\/a>, Flex Wheeler<\/a>, and Shawn Ray<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yates adopted a training system invented by the late Arthur Jones<\/a> and Mike Mentzer<\/a>. Using a \u2018less is more\u2019 approach, \u201cThe Shadow\u201d built his physique through high-intensity training sessions, often utilizing only one set to failure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To this day, Yates\u2019 back is considered one of the best of all time<\/a>. Though some struggle to train the back properly, the 64-year-old bodybuilding legend is laying out how to get the job done with one key movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Dorian Yates Explains Why No Exercise Compares to the Pullover Machine\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the Instagram post, Yates said he used the pullover machine to warm up the lats before more intense compound exercises. He wouldn\u2019t take the sets to failure and relied on them as a pre-exhaust movement with no bicep involvement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn my opinion, there\u2019s no better lat exercise than this\u2026 Warming up the lats on the pullover machine, nowhere near failure.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s total lat isolation through 180 degree of movement with no bicep involvement. That\u2019s why I used it as a pre-exhaust exercise, before bringing the biceps into play with pulldowns and rows.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Yates noted that you could use a dumbbell or cable, but it won\u2019t be as effective:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes you can use a dumbbell or cable but it\u2019s not going to be as effective. It gets the lats fired up and ready to go!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Yates isn\u2019t the only Olympia winner to get behind machine pullovers. Shaun Clarida, a former two-time 212 Olympia champion, commented on his post, recognizing the exercise as a staple.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cAlways part of my back days!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In contrast, former 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout never felt machine pullovers when he tried them at the gym.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI was near that machine since day one, Mike did use it but his back wasn\u2019t his strong body-part\u2026I personally think bent-over-rows is far better along with chin-up n reverse pull down etc\u2026 I just didn\u2019t feel that machine n didn\u2019t like it at all\u201d Samir Bannout commented.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Yates hasn\u2019t forgotten the bread-and-butter exercises that built his prime physique. Though the machine pullover is a rarer machine in today\u2019s era, he believes it\u2019s worth its weight in gold.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>The Mike Mentzer Heavy Duty Workout Explained: A Guide to High-Intensity Training for Optimal Muscle Growth<\/a><\/p>\n\n