Incline Row vs Wide Pulldown Machine
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Wide Pulldown Machine is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 2. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Incline Row and Wide Pulldown Machine and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Incline Row vs Wide Pulldown Machine: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Wide Pulldown Machine more often — 7,817 sessions compared to 4,037 for Incline Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Incline Row and Wide Pulldown Machine 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 Wide Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Incline Row | Wide Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a dumbbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,037 sessions | 7,817 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 Wide Pulldown Machine
Wide Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Lower until your elbows are positioned at your sides.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest open.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
- 2. Please keep your chest open so that your lower back doesn't round.
For a full Wide Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Wide Pulldown Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Incline Row or Wide Pulldown Machine?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Incline Row and Wide Pulldown Machine need?
Incline Row needs a dumbbell, and Wide Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Wide Pulldown Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Incline Row once your form holds up.
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