Band Row vs Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 948. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Band Row and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Band Row vs Barbell Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions compared to 948 for Band Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Band Row and 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 Band Row and Barbell Row Differ

What differsBand RowBarbell Row
Equipmenta resistance banda barbell
Difficulty2 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users948 sessions18,910 sessions
Not sure whether Band Row or Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Band Row

Band Row gif

Band Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the band sideways so it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. Using the strength of your back, 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 Band Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Band Row Guide page of our blog!

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

How to Barbell Row

Barbell Row gif

Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While supporting the weight with your back, 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 let your back be too upright or move up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Band Row or Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 948 for Band Row. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Band Row and Barbell Row need?

Band Row needs a resistance band, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Band Row is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.

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