Face Pull vs Smith Machine Shrug

Maximizing Your Shoulder Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,306 sessions vs 228. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Shoulder Workout: Explore the Benefits of Face Pull and Smith Machine Shrug for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Face Pull vs Smith Machine Shrug : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,306 sessions compared to 228 for Smith Machine Shrug.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Face Pull and Smith Machine Shrug differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Face Pull and Smith Machine Shrug Differ

What differsFace PullSmith Machine Shrug
Muscles workedrear delts, biceps, and trapstraps
Machine typecable-drivenSmith-machine
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users12,306 sessions228 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Face Pull or Smith Machine Shrug fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Face Pull

Face Pull gif

Face Pull muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the grip up towards your ear.
  2. 2. When pulling, make sure not to excessively fold your scapula.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. If you excessively fold your wings, the trapezius muscle will be used instead of the rear shoulder, so please be careful.

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

Do you want to know more about Face Pull methods?Exercise Guide

How to Smith Machine Shrug

Smith Machine Shrug gif

Smith Machine Shrug muscles worked: Shoulder

Form

  1. 1. Please shrug your shoulders and lift the barbell.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. When lowering the barbell, it should be done slowly rather than just dropping it.
  2. 2. Please ensure that the neck does not extend excessively forward.

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

Do you want to know more about Smith Machine Shrug methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Shoulder, Face Pull or Smith Machine Shrug?

Planfit users log Face Pull more often — 12,306 sessions against 228 for Smith Machine Shrug. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Face Pull and Smith Machine Shrug work the same muscles?

Not quite. Face Pull loads rear delts, biceps, and traps, and Smith Machine Shrug loads traps.

What equipment do Face Pull and Smith Machine Shrug need?

Face Pull needs a machine, and Smith Machine Shrug needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Face Pull is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Shrug once your form holds up.

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