Incline Row vs Close Grip Chin Up
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 sessions vs 345. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Incline Row and Close Grip Chin Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Incline Row vs Close Grip Chin 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 345 for Close Grip Chin Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Incline Row and Close Grip Chin 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 Close Grip Chin Up Differ
| What differs | Incline Row | Close Grip Chin Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,037 sessions | 345 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 Chin Up
Close Grip Chin Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your arms back.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position with your chest relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please go up using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
For a full Close Grip Chin Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Close Grip Chin Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Incline Row or Close Grip Chin Up?
Planfit users log Incline Row more often — 4,037 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 Incline Row and Close Grip Chin Up need?
Incline Row needs a dumbbell, and Close Grip Chin Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Incline Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Chin Up once your form holds up.
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