Inverted Row vs Underhand Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Underhand Barbell Row more often — 1,183 sessions vs 439. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Inverted Row and Underhand Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Inverted Row vs Underhand Barbell Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Underhand Barbell Row more often — 1,183 sessions compared to 439 for Inverted Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Inverted Row and Underhand Barbell Row 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 Underhand Barbell Row Differ

What differsInverted RowUnderhand Barbell Row
Muscles workedback, chest, and bicepsback, traps, and biceps
Equipmenta machinea barbell
Difficulty3 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users439 sessions1,183 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Inverted Row or Underhand Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Inverted Row

Inverted Row gif

Inverted Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
  2. 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
  3. 3. While keeping your body in a straight line, slowly extend your arms to return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Be careful not to let the bar of the Smith machine come loose.
  2. 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!

Do you want to know more about Inverted Row methods?Exercise Guide

How to Underhand Barbell Row

Underhand Barbell Row gif

Underhand Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While holding the weight with your back strength, lower your hands down to below your knees.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Underhand Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Underhand Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Inverted Row or Underhand Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Underhand Barbell Row more often — 1,183 sessions against 439 for Inverted 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 Underhand Barbell Row work the same muscles?

Not quite. Inverted Row loads back, chest, and biceps, and Underhand Barbell Row loads back, traps, and biceps.

What equipment do Inverted Row and Underhand Barbell Row need?

Inverted Row needs a machine, and Underhand Barbell Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Inverted Row is the easier place to start. Move to Underhand Barbell Row once your form holds up.

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