Lat Pulldown vs Back Extension Machine

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 334. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Lat Pulldown and Back Extension Machine for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Lat Pulldown vs Back Extension Machine : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions compared to 334 for Back Extension Machine.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Lat Pulldown and Back Extension Machine differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Lat Pulldown and Back Extension Machine Differ

What differsLat PulldownBack Extension Machine
Machine typecable-drivenpin-loaded
Difficulty1 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users81,834 sessions334 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Lat Pulldown or Back Extension Machine fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Lat Pulldown

Lat Pulldown gif

Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
  2. 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
  3. 3. Pull until the bar touches your collarbone.
  4. 4. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  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.

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

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

How to Back Extension Machine

Back Extension Machine gif

Back Extension Machine muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please push the equipment using your core strength.
  2. 2. Please return to the starting position while maintaining core strength to avoid bending your waist.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lose tension in your core throughout the exercise.
  2. 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid rounding your back.

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

Do you want to know more about Back Extension Machine methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Back Extension Machine?

Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 334 for Back Extension Machine. 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 and Back Extension Machine need?

Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Back Extension Machine needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Back Extension Machine once your form holds up.

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