Barbell Row vs One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 858. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine : 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 858 for One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine 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 Lat Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 858 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 Lat Pulldown Machine
One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms up to shoulder level.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
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 move backward.
If you want to know a detailed guide to One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 858 for One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine. 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 Lat Pulldown Machine need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to One Arm Lat Pulldown Machine once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
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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.

