Barbell Row vs One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 334. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs One Arm Cable 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 334 for One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and One Arm Cable 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 One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 18,910 sessions | 334 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 One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown
One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades while naturally pulling your arms back.
- 2. Rotate your palms facing forward towards your body and pull them up to shoulder height.
- 3. Rotate your palms back to face forward and raise your arms.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
- 3. Please be careful not to let your elbows fall back.
If you want to know a detailed guide to One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 334 for One Arm Cable 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 One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to One Arm Cable Lat Pulldown once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.
It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

