Lat Pulldown vs Seated Cable Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 2. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Lat Pulldown and Seated Cable Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Lat Pulldown vs Seated Cable 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 52,786 for Seated Cable Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Lat Pulldown and Seated Cable 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 Seated Cable Row Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Seated Cable Row |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 52,786 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 Seated Cable Row
Seated Cable Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while gathering your shoulder blades.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. Return to the starting position by fully extending your elbows while keeping your back straight.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid bending your back.
- 3. Please stabilize your back so it doesn't move back and forth.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Cable Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Cable Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Seated Cable Row?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Lat Pulldown and Seated Cable Row need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Seated Cable Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Seated Cable Row once your form holds up.
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