Arm Pulldown vs Wide Grip Seated Cable Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Wide Grip Seated Cable Row works multiple joints at once, Arm Pulldown isolates — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Back day.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Arm Pulldown and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Arm Pulldown vs Wide Grip Seated Cable 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 3,456 for Wide Grip Seated Cable Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Arm Pulldown and Wide Grip Seated Cable 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 Wide Grip Seated Cable Row Differ
| What differs | Arm Pulldown | Wide Grip Seated Cable Row |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back and triceps | back, traps, and biceps |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 34,261 sessions | 3,456 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 Wide Grip Seated Cable Row
Wide Grip Seated Cable Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. As you gather your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms back.
- 2. Pull until the grip touches your abdomen.
- 3. Return to the starting position with your back straight and your elbows fully extended.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open so that your back doesn't round.
- 3. Please stabilize your back so that it doesn't move back and forth.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Wide Grip Seated Cable Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Wide Grip Seated Cable Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Arm Pulldown or Wide Grip Seated Cable Row?
Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 3,456 for Wide Grip Seated Cable 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 Wide Grip Seated Cable Row work the same muscles?
Not quite. Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps, and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row loads back, traps, and biceps.
What equipment do Arm Pulldown and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row need?
Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Wide Grip Seated Cable Row once your form holds up.
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