Pendlay Row vs Kettlebell Deadlift
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Kettlebell Deadlift is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 5. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pendlay Row and Kettlebell Deadlift for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Pendlay Row vs Kettlebell Deadlift : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Kettlebell Deadlift more often — 627 sessions compared to 344 for Pendlay Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Pendlay Row and Kettlebell Deadlift 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 Kettlebell Deadlift Differ
| What differs | Pendlay Row | Kettlebell Deadlift |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a kettlebell |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 344 sessions | 627 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 Kettlebell Deadlift
Kettlebell Deadlift muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. First, push your hips back while naturally bending your knees to go down.
- 2. When coming up, straighten your knees first while keeping your weight on the center of your feet and bring your hips forward.
- 3. When you are fully upright, puff out your chest and contract your entire back.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your lower back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Kettlebell Deadlift, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Kettlebell Deadlift Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Kettlebell Deadlift?
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 Pendlay Row and Kettlebell Deadlift need?
Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Kettlebell Deadlift needs a kettlebell.
Which is easier to start with?
Kettlebell Deadlift is the easier place to start. Move to Pendlay Row once your form holds up.
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