Arm Pulldown vs Rack Pull

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions vs 766. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Arm Pulldown and Rack Pull for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Arm Pulldown vs Rack Pull : 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 766 for Rack Pull.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Arm Pulldown and Rack Pull 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 Rack Pull Differ

What differsArm PulldownRack Pull
Equipmenta machinea barbell
Difficulty1 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users34,261 sessions766 sessions

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How to Arm Pulldown

Arm Pulldown gif

Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the bar towards your body.
  2. 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to bend your arms.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to raise your arms above shoulder level.
  3. 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!

Do you want to know more about Arm Pulldown methods?Exercise Guide

How to Rack Pull

Rack Pull gif

Rack Pull muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While supporting the weight with your back strength, slowly lower the barbell onto the rack.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Rack Pull, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Rack Pull Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Rack Pull methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Arm Pulldown or Rack Pull?

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 766 for Rack Pull. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Arm Pulldown and Rack Pull need?

Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and Rack Pull needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Rack Pull once your form holds up.

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