Deadlift vs Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Deadlift and Barbell Row are close in use — 18,911 vs 15,439 sessions logged. What separates them is Back loading and form.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Deadlift and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Deadlift vs Barbell Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,911 sessions compared to 15,439 for Deadlift.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Deadlift 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 Deadlift and Barbell Row Differ

What differsDeadliftBarbell Row
Difficulty4 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users15,439 sessions18,911 sessions
Not sure whether Deadlift or Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Deadlift

Deadlift gif

Deadlift muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Move your hips back while lifting the barbell forward.
  2. 2. Push against the floor and apply pressure to the center of your feet.
  3. 3. When you are fully upright, puff out your chest and contract your entire back.
  4. 4. Move your hips back again and bend your knees to return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
  2. 2. Engage your core to prevent your lower back from rounding.

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

Do you want to know more about Deadlift 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, Deadlift or Barbell Row?

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 Deadlift and Barbell Row need?

Deadlift needs a barbell, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.

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