Kettlebell Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Kettlebell Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 5. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Kettlebell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Kettlebell Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Close Grip Lat Pulldown more often — 132 sessions compared to 127 for Kettlebell Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Kettlebell 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 Kettlebell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown Differ

What differsKettlebell RowClose Grip Lat Pulldown
Equipmenta kettlebella machine
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users127 sessions132 sessions

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How to Kettlebell Row

Kettlebell Row gif

Kettlebell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please hold the kettlebell with both hands while leaning your upper body forward.
  2. 2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull your elbows back to lift the kettlebell.
  3. 3. Raise it until your elbows are vertical, then slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
  2. 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

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

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

How to Close Grip Lat Pulldown

Close Grip Lat Pulldown gif

Close Grip Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Bend your elbows and pull the bar towards your chest.
  2. 2. After contracting your latissimus dorsi, slowly return to the starting position.
  3. 3. Make sure your elbows do not fully lock out.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Be careful not to excessively arch your back.
  2. 2. Relax your shoulders and proceed without tensing them up.
  3. 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!

Do you want to know more about Close Grip Lat Pulldown methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Kettlebell Row or Close Grip Lat Pulldown?

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 Kettlebell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown need?

Kettlebell Row needs a kettlebell, and Close Grip Lat Pulldown needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Kettlebell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Lat Pulldown once your form holds up.

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