Barbell Row vs Romanian Deadlift
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Romanian Deadlift is the easier place to start — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 4. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and Romanian Deadlift for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs Romanian Deadlift : 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 12,198 for Romanian Deadlift.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and Romanian Deadlift 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 Romanian Deadlift Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | Romanian Deadlift |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 18,910 sessions | 12,198 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 Romanian Deadlift
Romanian Deadlift muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Lower the barbell vertically to just below your knees while keeping it attached to your body.
- 2. As you go down, let your hips move back first and naturally bend your knees.
- 3. When coming up, straighten your knees first and bring your hips forward.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let the barbell come away from your body.
- 2. Keep your arms straight so that your elbows do not bend.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Romanian Deadlift, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Romanian Deadlift Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or Romanian Deadlift?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Barbell Row and Romanian Deadlift need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Romanian Deadlift needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Romanian Deadlift is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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