The lat pulldown is an excellent alternative to the pull up especially if you cannot yet perform a substantial number of pull ups. Also, pulldowns give you the opportunity to control the weight and more ability to stretch and squeeze your lats for multiple reps.

Are lat pulldowns better than pull-ups?

Which Exercise is Better? In general, pull-ups tend to be best for improving strength relative to pull-downs. Whether you are a full-blown bodybuilder or a complete beginner, lat pull-downs work great whereas pull-up exercises help you improve your overall strength.

What exercise can replace pull-ups?