Lat Pulldown vs Ring Pull Up
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 4. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Lat Pulldown and Ring Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Lat Pulldown vs Ring 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 4 for Ring Pull Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Lat Pulldown and Ring 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 Ring Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Ring Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 4 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 Ring Pull Up
Ring Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms to bring your chest closer to the ring.
- 2. While gathering your shoulder blades inward and downward, naturally pull your arms.
- 3. Open your chest and slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Maintain your posture so it doesn't get disrupted when you come down.
- 2. Go up with the feeling of moving your shoulder blades rather than using your arm strength.
For a full Ring Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Ring Pull Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Ring Pull Up?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 4 for Ring 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 Ring Pull Up need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Ring Pull Up needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Ring Pull Up once your form holds up.
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