Arm Pulldown vs Wide Grip Pull Up

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions vs 72. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Arm Pulldown vs Wide 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 72 for Wide Grip Pull Up.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Arm Pulldown and Wide 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 Wide Grip Pull Up Differ

What differsArm PulldownWide Grip Pull Up
Muscles workedback and tricepsback, traps, and biceps
Equipmenta machinea pull-up bar
Difficulty1 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users34,261 sessions72 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 Wide Grip Pull Up

Wide Grip Pull Up gif

Wide Grip Pull Up muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Grab the bar with a wide grip and spread your hands wider than shoulder width.
  2. 2. Pull your arms to bring your chest close to the bar.
  3. 3. Slowly extend your arms back to the original position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
  2. 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.

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

Do you want to know more about Wide Grip Pull Up methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Arm Pulldown or Wide Grip Pull Up?

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 72 for Wide 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 Wide Grip Pull Up work the same muscles?

Not quite. Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps, and Wide Grip Pull Up loads back, traps, and biceps.

What equipment do Arm Pulldown and Wide Grip Pull Up need?

Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and Wide Grip Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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