Wide Pulldown Machine vs Archer Pull Up

Which one fits your Back workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Wide Pulldown Machine more often — 7,807 sessions vs 11. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Wide Pulldown Machine and Archer Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.

Wide Pulldown Machine vs Archer Pull Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Wide Pulldown Machine more often — 7,807 sessions compared to 11 for Archer Pull Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Wide Pulldown Machine and Archer 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 Wide Pulldown Machine and Archer Pull Up Differ

What differsWide Pulldown MachineArcher Pull Up
Equipmenta machinea pull-up bar
Difficulty1 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users7,807 sessions11 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Do Wide Pulldown Machine

Wide Pulldown Machine demo video

Wide Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
  2. 2. Lower until your elbows are positioned at your sides.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest open.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
  2. 2. Please keep your chest open so that your lower back doesn't round.

For a full Wide Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Wide Pulldown Machine exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Wide Pulldown Machine?Exercise Guide

How to Do Archer Pull Up

Archer Pull Up demo video

Archer Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull the bar towards your chest while applying strength to one bicep to hold, and push the bar with the other side.
  2. 2. Slowly return to the starting position with your chest relaxed.
  3. 3. Please do the same on the opposite side.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
  2. 2. Please make sure your back does not bend excessively.
  3. 3. Please be careful not to use momentum.

For a full Archer Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Archer Pull Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Archer Pull Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Wide Pulldown Machine or Archer Pull Up?

Planfit users log Wide Pulldown Machine more often — 7,807 sessions against 11 for Archer 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 Wide Pulldown Machine and Archer Pull Up need?

Wide Pulldown Machine needs a machine, and Archer Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.

Which is easier to start with?

Wide Pulldown Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Archer Pull Up once your form holds up.

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