Lat Pulldown vs Smith Machine Barbell Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 4,483. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Lat Pulldown and Smith Machine Barbell Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Lat Pulldown vs Smith Machine 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 4,483 for Smith Machine Barbell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Lat Pulldown and Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row Differ
| What differs | Lat Pulldown | Smith Machine Barbell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | cable-driven | Smith-machine |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 81,834 sessions | 4,483 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row
Smith Machine Barbell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the bar towards your belly button.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. Hold the weight with the strength of your back and 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 overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Smith Machine Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Smith Machine Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Lat Pulldown or Smith Machine Barbell Row?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 4,483 for Smith Machine 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row need?
Lat Pulldown needs a machine, and Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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