Lat Pulldown Machine vs Ring Pull Up

Which one fits your Back workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,903 sessions vs 4. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown Machine and Ring Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.

Lat Pulldown Machine vs Ring Pull Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,903 sessions compared to 4 for Ring Pull Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown Machine and Ring Pull Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Lat Pulldown Machine and Ring Pull Up Differ

What differsLat Pulldown MachineRing Pull Up
Equipmenta machinebodyweight only
Difficulty5 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users2,903 sessions4 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Lat Pulldown Machine or Ring Pull Up fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Lat Pulldown Machine

Lat Pulldown Machine demo video

Lat Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
  2. 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
  3. 3. Pull the grip up to the collarbone position.
  4. 4. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise along with it.

For a full Lat Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lat Pulldown Machine exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Lat Pulldown Machine?Exercise Guide

How to Do Ring Pull Up

Ring Pull Up demo video

Ring Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms to bring your chest closer to the ring.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades inward and downward, naturally pull your arms.
  3. 3. Open your chest and slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Maintain your posture so it doesn't get disrupted when you come down.
  2. 2. Go up with the feeling of moving your shoulder blades rather than using your arm strength.

For a full Ring Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Ring Pull Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Ring Pull Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown Machine or Ring Pull Up?

Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,903 sessions against 4 for Ring Pull Up. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Lat Pulldown Machine and Ring Pull Up need?

Lat Pulldown Machine needs a machine, and Ring Pull Up needs bodyweight only.

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