Lat Pulldown vs Butterfly Pull Up
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 14. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown and Butterfly Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Lat Pulldown vs Butterfly Pull Up: 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 14 for Butterfly Pull Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown and Butterfly 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 and Butterfly Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Butterfly Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 14 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 Butterfly Pull Up
Butterfly Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Use the recoil to pull your arms so that your chest touches the bar.
- 2. Pull your arms naturally while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- 3. Please repeat for the specified number of times.
Coach's Tips
- Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades instead of your arms.
For a full Butterfly Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Butterfly Pull Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Butterfly Pull Up?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 14 for Butterfly 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 and Butterfly Pull Up need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Butterfly Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Butterfly Pull Up once your form holds up.
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