Pendlay Row vs Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,911 sessions vs 344. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pendlay Row and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Pendlay Row vs Barbell Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,911 sessions compared to 344 for Pendlay Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Pendlay Row and 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 Pendlay Row and Barbell Row Differ

What differsPendlay RowBarbell Row
Difficulty5 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users344 sessions18,911 sessions
Not sure whether Pendlay Row or Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Pendlay Row

Pendlay Row gif

Pendlay Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. Hold the weight with your back strength and lower it completely to the ground.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Pendlay Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pendlay Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Pendlay Row methods?Exercise Guide

How to Barbell Row

Barbell Row gif

Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While supporting the weight with your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to let your back be too upright or move up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,911 sessions against 344 for Pendlay Row. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Pendlay Row and Barbell Row need?

Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Pendlay Row once your form holds up.

Get free AI personalized workout plan

Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.

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.

Join 3.8M+ users who found their perfect workout plan

Get Personalized Plans
and More detailed guidance with Planfit

Banner Image