Incline Row vs Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 sessions vs 917. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Incline Row and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Incline Row vs Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown: 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 917 for Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Incline Row and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown 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 Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Incline Row | Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,037 sessions | 917 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 Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Lower your elbows while facing forward.
- 2. Pull the bar until it touches your collarbone.
- 3. Slowly raise your arms to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise up.
For a full Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Incline Row or Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 sessions against 917 for Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown. 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 Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown need?
Incline Row needs a dumbbell, and Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Close Grip Cable Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Incline Row once your form holds up.
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