Pendlay Row vs Close Grip Pull Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions vs 44. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pendlay Row and Close Grip Pull Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Pendlay Row vs Close Grip Pull Up : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions compared to 44 for Close Grip Pull Up.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Pendlay Row and Close Grip 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 Pendlay Row and Close Grip Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Pendlay Row | Close Grip Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 344 sessions | 44 sessions |
How to Pendlay Row
Pendlay Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell can go up vertically.
- 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. Hold the weight with your back strength and lower it completely to the ground.
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 Pendlay Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pendlay Row Guide page of our blog!
How to Close Grip Pull Up
Close Grip Pull Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Grab the bar with a narrow grip and spread your hands shoulder-width apart.
- 2. Pull your arms to bring your chest close to the bar.
- 3. Slowly extend your arms and return to the original position.
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 Close Grip Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Close Grip Pull Up?
Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions against 44 for Close Grip 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 Pendlay Row and Close Grip Pull Up need?
Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Close Grip Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Close Grip Pull Up is the easier place to start. Move to Pendlay Row once your form holds up.
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