Lat Pulldown vs Barbell Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 18,911. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Lat Pulldown and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Lat Pulldown vs Barbell Row : 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 18,911 for Barbell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Lat Pulldown and Barbell Row 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 Barbell Row Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Barbell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a barbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 18,911 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
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!
How to Barbell Row
Barbell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. While supporting the weight with your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your back be too upright or move up and down.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Barbell Row?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 18,911 for Barbell 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 Barbell Row need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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