Inverted Row vs Kettlebell Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Inverted Row more often — 439 sessions vs 127. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Inverted Row and Kettlebell Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Inverted Row vs Kettlebell Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Inverted Row more often — 439 sessions compared to 127 for Kettlebell Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Inverted Row and Kettlebell Row differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Inverted Row and Kettlebell Row Differ
| What differs | Inverted Row | Kettlebell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back, chest, and biceps | back, traps, and biceps |
| Equipment | a machine | a kettlebell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 439 sessions | 127 sessions |
How to Do 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 Tips
- 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.
For a full Inverted Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Inverted Row exercise guide.
How to Do Kettlebell Row
Kettlebell Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please hold the kettlebell with both hands while leaning your upper body forward.
- 2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull your elbows back to lift the kettlebell.
- 3. Raise it until your elbows are vertical, then slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full Kettlebell Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Kettlebell Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Inverted Row or Kettlebell Row?
Planfit users log Inverted Row more often — 439 sessions against 127 for Kettlebell Row. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Inverted Row and Kettlebell Row work the same muscles?
Not quite. Inverted Row loads back, chest, and biceps, and Kettlebell Row loads back, traps, and biceps.
What equipment do Inverted Row and Kettlebell Row need?
Inverted Row needs a machine, and Kettlebell Row needs a kettlebell.
Which is easier to start with?
Kettlebell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Inverted Row once your form holds up.
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