Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown vs Barbell Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 917. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown vs Barbell Row : 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 917 for Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown and Barbell Row differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown and Barbell Row Differ
| What differs | Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown | Barbell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 917 sessions | 18,910 sessions |
How to Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Lower your elbows while facing forward.
- 2. Pull the bar until it touches your collarbone.
- 3. Slowly raise your arms to 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 up.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown or Barbell Row?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 917 for Close Grip 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 Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown and Barbell Row need?
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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