Pendlay Row vs Kettlebell Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions vs 127. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pendlay Row and Kettlebell Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Pendlay Row vs Kettlebell Row : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions compared to 127 for Kettlebell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Pendlay Row and Kettlebell 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 Kettlebell Row Differ
| What differs | Pendlay Row | Kettlebell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a kettlebell |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 344 sessions | 127 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 Row
Kettlebell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please hold the kettlebell with both hands while leaning your upper body forward.
- 2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull your elbows back to lift the kettlebell.
- 3. Raise it until your elbows are vertical, then slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Kettlebell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Kettlebell Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Kettlebell Row?
Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions against 127 for Kettlebell 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 Kettlebell Row need?
Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Kettlebell Row needs a kettlebell.
Which is easier to start with?
Kettlebell 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.

