Back Extension vs Inverted Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Back Extension more often — 6,073 sessions vs 439. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Back Extension and Inverted Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Back Extension vs Inverted Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Back Extension more often — 6,073 sessions compared to 439 for Inverted Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Back Extension and Inverted Row differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Back Extension and Inverted Row Differ

What differsBack ExtensionInverted Row
Equipmentbodyweight onlya machine
Difficulty2 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users6,073 sessions439 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Back Extension

Back Extension gif

Back Extension muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please lower down by bending your hips while keeping your chest open.
  2. 2. Engage your core and come up by extending your hips.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to relax your core throughout the exercise.
  2. 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid rounding your back.

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

Do you want to know more about Back Extension methods?Exercise Guide

How to Inverted Row

Inverted Row gif

Inverted Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
  2. 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
  3. 3. While keeping your body in a straight line, slowly extend your arms to return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Be careful not to let the bar of the Smith machine come loose.
  2. 2. Engage your abs to keep your body in a straight line, making sure your lower back does not arch and your hips do not sag downward.

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

Do you want to know more about Inverted Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Back Extension or Inverted Row?

Planfit users log Back Extension more often — 6,073 sessions against 439 for Inverted Row. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Back Extension and Inverted Row need?

Back Extension needs bodyweight only, and Inverted Row needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Back Extension is the easier place to start. Move to Inverted Row once your form holds up.

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