One Arm Machine Seated Row vs Pull Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
One Arm Machine Seated Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 4. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of One Arm Machine Seated Row and Pull Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about One Arm Machine Seated Row vs Pull Up : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions compared to 8,631 for One Arm Machine Seated Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. One Arm Machine Seated Row and Pull Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How One Arm Machine Seated Row and Pull Up Differ
| What differs | One Arm Machine Seated Row | Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| One side at a time | Yes | No |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 8,631 sessions | 15,437 sessions |
How to One Arm Machine Seated Row
One Arm Machine Seated Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. While keeping your back straight, fully extend your elbows and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to One Arm Machine Seated Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the One Arm Machine Seated Row Guide page of our blog!
How to Pull Up
Pull Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, gently pull your arms back.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest relaxed.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, One Arm Machine Seated Row or Pull Up?
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 One Arm Machine Seated Row and Pull Up need?
One Arm Machine Seated Row needs a machine, and Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
One Arm Machine Seated Row is the easier place to start. Move to Pull Up once your form holds up.
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It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

