Back Lat Pulldown vs Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Back Lat Pulldown more often — 1,569 sessions vs 455. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Back Lat Pulldown vs Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Back Lat Pulldown more often — 1,569 sessions compared to 455 for Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row.

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

What differsBack Lat PulldownUnderhand Smith Machine Barbell Row
Machine typecable-drivenSmith-machine
Difficulty1 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users1,569 sessions455 sessions

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How to Back Lat Pulldown

Back Lat Pulldown gif

Back Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
  2. 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
  3. 3. Pull the bar behind your head.
  4. 4. Slowly extend your arms and return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful as fully extending your shoulders and arms may put strain on your shoulders.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
  3. 3. If you feel discomfort in your shoulders, please adjust the width of your grip on the bar.

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

Do you want to know more about Back Lat 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, Back Lat Pulldown or Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Back Lat Pulldown more often — 1,569 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.

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

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

Which is easier to start with?

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

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