Close Grip Pull Up vs Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 44. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Close Grip Pull Up and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Close Grip Pull Up 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 44 for Close Grip Pull Up.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Close Grip Pull Up 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 Pull Up and Barbell Row Differ

What differsClose Grip Pull UpBarbell Row
Equipmenta pull-up bara barbell
Difficulty2 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users44 sessions18,910 sessions
Not sure whether Close Grip Pull Up or Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Close Grip Pull Up

Close Grip Pull Up gif

Close Grip Pull Up muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Grab the bar with a narrow grip and spread your hands shoulder-width apart.
  2. 2. Pull your arms to bring your chest close to the bar.
  3. 3. Slowly extend your arms and return to the original position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
  2. 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Pull Up Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Close Grip Pull Up methods?Exercise Guide

How to Barbell Row

Barbell Row gif

Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While supporting the weight with your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to let your back be too upright or move up and down.
  3. 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!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Close Grip Pull Up or Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 44 for Close Grip Pull Up. 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 Pull Up and Barbell Row need?

Close Grip Pull Up needs a pull-up bar, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Close Grip Pull Up is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.

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