Arm Pulldown vs One Arm Machine Seated Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
One Arm Machine Seated Row works multiple joints at once, Arm Pulldown isolates — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Back day.
Compare the benefits of Arm Pulldown and One Arm Machine Seated Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Arm Pulldown vs One Arm Machine Seated Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions compared to 8,631 for One Arm Machine Seated Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Arm Pulldown and One Arm Machine Seated Row differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Arm Pulldown and One Arm Machine Seated Row Differ
| What differs | Arm Pulldown | One Arm Machine Seated Row |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back and triceps | back, traps, and biceps |
| Machine type | cable-driven | plate-loaded |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 34,261 sessions | 8,631 sessions |
How to Do 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 Tips
- 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.
For a full Arm Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Arm Pulldown exercise guide.
How to Do One Arm Machine Seated Row
One Arm Machine Seated Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. While keeping your back straight, fully extend your elbows and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full One Arm Machine Seated Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the One Arm Machine Seated Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Arm Pulldown or One Arm Machine Seated Row?
Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 8,631 for One Arm Machine Seated Row. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Arm Pulldown and One Arm Machine Seated Row work the same muscles?
Not quite. Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps, and One Arm Machine Seated Row loads back, traps, and biceps.
What equipment do Arm Pulldown and One Arm Machine Seated Row need?
Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and One Arm Machine Seated Row needs a machine.
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