Kettlebell Row vs Rope Arm Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 sessions vs 127. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Kettlebell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Kettlebell Row vs Rope Arm Pulldown : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 sessions compared to 127 for Kettlebell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Kettlebell Row and Rope Arm 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 Rope Arm Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Kettlebell Row | Rope Arm Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back, traps, and biceps | back and triceps |
| Equipment | a kettlebell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 127 sessions | 2,393 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 Rope Arm Pulldown
Rope Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the rope towards your body.
- 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to bend your arm.
- 2. Please be careful not to raise your arm higher than your shoulder.
- 3. Please be careful not to elevate your trapezius muscle.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Rope Arm Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Rope Arm Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Kettlebell Row or Rope Arm Pulldown?
Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 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 Kettlebell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown work the same muscles?
Not quite. Kettlebell Row loads back, traps, and biceps, and Rope Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps.
What equipment do Kettlebell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown need?
Kettlebell Row needs a kettlebell, and Rope Arm Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Rope Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Kettlebell Row once your form holds up.
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