Kettlebell Row vs Close Grip T-bar Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Close Grip T-bar Row more often — 543 sessions vs 127. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Kettlebell Row and Close Grip T-bar Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Kettlebell Row vs Close Grip T-bar Row : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Close Grip T-bar Row more often — 543 sessions compared to 127 for Kettlebell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Kettlebell Row and Close Grip T-bar Row 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 T-bar Row Differ
| What differs | Kettlebell Row | Close Grip T-bar Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a kettlebell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 127 sessions | 543 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 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!
How to Close Grip T-bar Row
Close Grip T-bar Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. As you gather your shoulder blades, gently pull your arms.
- 2. Pull your elbows until they reach your sides.
- 3. While keeping your chest open, slowly extend your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- Please keep your chest up to avoid slouching your back.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip T-bar Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip T-bar Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Kettlebell Row or Close Grip T-bar Row?
Planfit users log Close Grip T-bar Row more often — 543 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.
What equipment do Kettlebell Row and Close Grip T-bar Row need?
Kettlebell Row needs a kettlebell, and Close Grip T-bar Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Kettlebell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip T-bar Row once your form holds up.
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