Arm Pulldown vs Close Grip Pull Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions vs 44. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Arm Pulldown and Close Grip Pull Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Arm Pulldown vs Close Grip Pull Up : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions compared to 44 for Close Grip Pull Up.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Arm Pulldown and Close Grip Pull Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Arm Pulldown and Close Grip Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Arm Pulldown | Close Grip Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back and triceps | back, traps, and biceps |
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 34,261 sessions | 44 sessions |
How to Arm Pulldown
Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the bar towards your body.
- 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to bend your arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to raise your arms above shoulder level.
- 3. Please be careful not to elevate your trapezius muscles.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Arm Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Arm Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
How to Close Grip Pull Up
Close Grip Pull Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Grab the bar with a narrow grip and spread your hands shoulder-width apart.
- 2. Pull your arms to bring your chest close to the bar.
- 3. Slowly extend your arms and return to the original position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Arm Pulldown or Close Grip Pull Up?
Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 44 for Close Grip Pull Up. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Arm Pulldown and Close Grip Pull Up work the same muscles?
Not quite. Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps, and Close Grip Pull Up loads back, traps, and biceps.
What equipment do Arm Pulldown and Close Grip Pull Up need?
Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and Close Grip Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Pull Up once your form holds up.
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