Barbell Row vs Close Grip Pull Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 44. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and Close Grip Pull Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs Close Grip Pull Up : 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 44 for Close Grip Pull Up.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and Close Grip Pull Up 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 Close Grip Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | Close Grip Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 18,910 sessions | 44 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 Close Grip Pull Up
Close Grip Pull Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Grab the bar with a narrow grip and spread your hands shoulder-width apart.
- 2. Pull your arms to bring your chest close to the bar.
- 3. Slowly extend your arms and return to the original position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or Close Grip Pull Up?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 44 for Close Grip Pull Up. 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 Close Grip Pull Up need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Close Grip Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Close Grip Pull Up is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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