Inverted Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Inverted Row more often — 439 sessions vs 132. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Inverted Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Inverted Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Inverted Row more often — 439 sessions compared to 132 for Close Grip Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Inverted Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Inverted Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Inverted Row | Close Grip Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back, chest, and biceps | back, traps, and biceps |
| Machine type | Smith-machine | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 439 sessions | 132 sessions |
How to Inverted Row
Inverted Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. While keeping your body in a straight line, slowly extend your arms to return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Be careful not to let the bar of the Smith machine come loose.
- 2. Engage your abs to keep your body in a straight line, making sure your lower back does not arch and your hips do not sag downward.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Inverted Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Inverted Row Guide page of our blog!
How to Close Grip Lat Pulldown
Close Grip Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Bend your elbows and pull the bar towards your chest.
- 2. After contracting your latissimus dorsi, slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Make sure your elbows do not fully lock out.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Be careful not to excessively arch your back.
- 2. Relax your shoulders and proceed without tensing them up.
- 3. Maintain the correct posture with an appropriate weight.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Lat Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Lat Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Inverted Row or Close Grip Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Inverted Row more often — 439 sessions against 132 for Close Grip Lat Pulldown. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Inverted Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown work the same muscles?
Not quite. Inverted Row loads back, chest, and biceps, and Close Grip Lat Pulldown loads back, traps, and biceps.
What equipment do Inverted Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown need?
Inverted Row needs a machine, and Close Grip Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Inverted Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Lat Pulldown once your form holds up.
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