The Claim
Multi-joint back exercises (lat pulldowns) can produce similar elbow flexor muscle hypertrophy to single-joint arm exercises (barbell curls) in untrained individuals.
What the research says
Challenges is higher
Challenge is ahead, but a single strong supporting study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Can doing lat pulldowns (a back exercise where you pull a bar down) build your biceps just as much as doing regular barbell curls? This claim says yes - for people who are new to working out.
See the scientific wording
Multi-joint back exercises (lat pulldowns) can produce similar elbow flexor muscle hypertrophy to single-joint arm exercises (barbell curls) in untrained individuals.
When you do lat pulldowns or barbell curls, your biceps and nearby muscles are stretched and squeezed under load. If the load is heavy enough and you push to fatigue, your biceps fibers get stressed enough to trigger growth signals — whether the exercise is done alone (like curls) or as part of a bigger movement (like pulldowns). Study 10.5812/asjsm.24057 shows both exercises lead to similar muscle growth in beginners, while Study 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003234 shows that curls cause more growth because they isolate the biceps better — but when pulldowns are done with enough intensity and range, they can match that stress.
What the research says
2 studiesStudy: Single-Joint Exercise Results in Higher Hypertrophy of Elbow Flexors Than Multijoint Exercise
The study found that doing bicep curls built bigger biceps than doing back exercises like dumbbell rows—even though both use the biceps. So, lat pulldowns probably won’t build your biceps as well as curls.
Related videos
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 2 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.