Lat Pulldown vs Band Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 948. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown and Band Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Lat Pulldown vs Band Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions compared to 948 for Band Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown and Band Row 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 and Band Row Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Band Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a resistance band |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 948 sessions |
How to Do Lat Pulldown
Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull until the bar touches your collarbone.
- 4. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
For a full Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
How to Do Band Row
Band Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the band sideways so it can go up vertically.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. Using the strength of your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full Band Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Band Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Band Row?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 948 for Band Row. 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 Band Row need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Band Row needs a resistance band.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Band Row once your form holds up.
Stop Guessing Which One to Do
AI picks your workouts based on your goals, body type, and experience.
