The lat pull down is designed to target many muscles of the back, most notably the latissimus dorsi or lats for short. The latissimus dorsi is the prime mover or agonist muscle. Meaning the Latissimus dorsi brings about the movement in the first place. The antagonist or opposing muscle to the latissimus dorsi is the deltoids.

Secondary muscles: pectoralis major (lower and outside), triceps (long head), teres minor, rhomboids, brachioradialis, biceps (long head), deltoid (front and rear) Antagonists: deltoid, pectoralis major (upper), triceps