Barbell Row vs Cable High Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 651. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs Cable High 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 651 for Cable High Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and Cable High Row 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 Cable High Row Differ

What differsBarbell RowCable High Row
Equipmenta barbella machine
Difficulty4 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users18,910 sessions651 sessions

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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

How to Cable High Row

Cable High Row gif

Cable High Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Grab the handle from the high position of the cable machine.
  2. 2. Pull your arms back and stabilize your upper body.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the original position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise along with it.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or Cable High Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 651 for Cable High Row. 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 Cable High Row need?

Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Cable High Row needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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