When I first started training at the gym, I knew I was light years away from doing my first pull up. After a couple years of training, it seems to me that I should have approached the matter a bit differently. Instead of focusing on machine-assisted pull ups and lat pull downs, I should have been performing band-assisted pull ups from day one. I realize that this exercise can feel really awkward to somebody who's never done it before and some people might have to start out with really wide bands, but the exercise is worth learning and becoming proficient in. The problem with machine-assisted pull ups and lat pull downs is that these movements don't translate very well into doing actual pull ups. I think you'd be far better off incorporating some band-assisted pull ups from the get-go. If I was starting again I'm pretty sure that's what I would do. I wouldn't ignore the pull up or lat pull down machines. I would just focus on band-assisted exercises.
Just a thought!
From today's workout: