Incline Row vs Butterfly Pull Up
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 sessions vs 14. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Incline Row and Butterfly Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Incline Row vs Butterfly Pull Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 sessions compared to 14 for Butterfly Pull Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Incline Row and Butterfly Pull Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Incline Row and Butterfly Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Incline Row | Butterfly Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,037 sessions | 14 sessions |
How to Do Incline Row
Incline Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull until your elbow forms a right angle.
- 2. Move your forearm vertically while fully extending your elbow to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Be careful not to let your arms swing forward or backward.
- 2. Focus on pulling with the muscles on the sides of your back so that your shoulders do not shrug upward.
- 3. When lowering, resist the weight of the dumbbells and lower them slowly so that your arms do not drop.
For a full Incline Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Row exercise guide.
How to Do Butterfly Pull Up
Butterfly Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Use the recoil to pull your arms so that your chest touches the bar.
- 2. Pull your arms naturally while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- 3. Please repeat for the specified number of times.
Coach's Tips
- Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades instead of your arms.
For a full Butterfly Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Butterfly Pull Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Incline Row or Butterfly Pull Up?
Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 sessions against 14 for Butterfly 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 Incline Row and Butterfly Pull Up need?
Incline Row needs a dumbbell, and Butterfly Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Incline Row is the easier place to start. Move to Butterfly Pull Up once your form holds up.
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