Hanging vs Barbell Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 486. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Hanging and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Hanging 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 486 for Hanging.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Hanging 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 Hanging and Barbell Row Differ
| What differs | Hanging | Barbell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 486 sessions | 18,910 sessions |
How to Hanging
Hanging muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Grab the bar with both hands and hang.
- 2. Stretch your arms and elongate your upper body.
- 3. Hold for a certain amount of time and breathe.
Coach's Comment
- Be careful not to strain your wrists and shoulders when hanging.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Hanging, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Hanging 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, Hanging or Barbell Row?
Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 486 for Hanging. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Hanging and Barbell Row need?
Hanging needs bodyweight only, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Hanging is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

