Barbell Row vs Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 1,311. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Barbell Row and Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Barbell Row vs Underhand 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 1,311 for Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Barbell Row and Underhand 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 Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Barbell Row | Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 18,910 sessions | 1,311 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 Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown
Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while gathering your shoulder blades.
- 2. Pull until the bar touches your sternum.
- 3. Slowly raise your arms and 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Barbell Row or Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 1,311 for Underhand 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 Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown need?
Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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