Barbell Row vs Seated Cable Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions vs 18,910. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and Seated Cable Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs Seated Cable Row : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions compared to 18,910 for Barbell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and Seated Cable 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 Seated Cable Row Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | Seated Cable Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 18,910 sessions | 52,786 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 Seated Cable Row
Seated Cable Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while gathering your shoulder blades.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. Return to the starting position by fully extending your elbows while keeping your back straight.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid bending your back.
- 3. Please stabilize your back so it doesn't move back and forth.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Cable Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Cable Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or Seated Cable Row?
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions against 18,910 for Barbell 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 Seated Cable Row need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Seated Cable Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Cable Row is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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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.
