Lat Pulldown vs Incline Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 4,137. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown and Incline Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Lat Pulldown vs Incline 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 4,137 for Incline Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown and Incline 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 Incline Row Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Incline Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 4,137 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 Incline Row
Incline Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull until your elbow forms a right angle.
- 2. Move your forearm vertically while fully extending your elbow to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Be careful not to let your arms swing forward or backward.
- 2. Focus on pulling with the muscles on the sides of your back so that your shoulders do not shrug upward.
- 3. When lowering, resist the weight of the dumbbells and lower them slowly so that your arms do not drop.
For a full Incline Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Incline Row?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 4,137 for Incline 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 Incline Row need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Incline Row needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Incline Row once your form holds up.
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