Barbell Row vs Back Lat Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 1,569. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and Back Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs Back Lat Pulldown : 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 1,569 for Back Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and Back Lat Pulldown differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Barbell Row and Back Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | Back Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 18,910 sessions | 1,569 sessions |
How to Barbell Row
Barbell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. While supporting the weight with your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your back be too upright or move up and down.
- 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!
How to Back Lat Pulldown
Back Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull the bar behind your head.
- 4. Slowly extend your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful as fully extending your shoulders and arms may put strain on your shoulders.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
- 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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or Back Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 1,569 for Back Lat Pulldown. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Barbell Row and Back Lat Pulldown need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Back Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Back Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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