Arm Pulldown vs Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions vs 455. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Arm Pulldown and Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Arm Pulldown vs Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row : 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 455 for Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Arm Pulldown and Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row 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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row Differ

What differsArm PulldownUnderhand Smith Machine Barbell Row
Muscles workedback and tricepsback, traps, and biceps
Machine typecable-drivenSmith-machine
Difficulty1 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users34,261 sessions455 sessions

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Not sure whether Arm Pulldown or Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row gif

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While holding the weight with your back strength, lower your hands down to below your knees.

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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Arm Pulldown or Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 455 for Underhand Smith Machine Barbell 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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row work the same muscles?

Not quite. Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps, and Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row loads back, traps, and biceps.

What equipment do Arm Pulldown and Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row need?

Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.

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