Dumbbell Row vs Close Grip Chin Up

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Dumbbell Row more often — 8,288 sessions vs 345. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Dumbbell Row vs Close Grip Chin Up : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Dumbbell Row more often — 8,288 sessions compared to 345 for Close Grip Chin Up.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Dumbbell Row and Close Grip Chin Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Dumbbell Row and Close Grip Chin Up Differ

What differsDumbbell RowClose Grip Chin Up
Equipmenta dumbbella pull-up bar
Difficulty2 of 53 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users8,288 sessions345 sessions

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How to Dumbbell Row

Dumbbell Row gif

Dumbbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the dumbbell sideways so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. Using the strength of 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 arch your back too much or move it up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

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

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

How to Close Grip Chin Up

Close Grip Chin Up gif

Close Grip Chin Up muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your arms back.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position with your chest relaxed.

Coach's Comment

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Dumbbell Row or Close Grip Chin Up?

Planfit users log Dumbbell Row more often — 8,288 sessions against 345 for Close Grip Chin Up. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Dumbbell Row and Close Grip Chin Up need?

Dumbbell Row needs a dumbbell, and Close Grip Chin Up needs a pull-up bar.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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