Pendlay Row vs Lat Pulldown Machine
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,913 sessions vs 344. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Pendlay Row and Lat Pulldown Machine and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Pendlay Row vs Lat Pulldown Machine: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,913 sessions compared to 344 for Pendlay Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Pendlay Row and Lat Pulldown Machine differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Pendlay Row and Lat Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Pendlay Row | Lat Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 344 sessions | 2,913 sessions |
How to Do 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 Tips
- 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.
For a full Pendlay Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Pendlay Row exercise guide.
How to Do Lat Pulldown Machine
Lat Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while bringing your shoulder blades together.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull the grip up to the collarbone position.
- 4. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise along with it.
For a full Lat Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lat Pulldown Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Lat Pulldown Machine?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown Machine more often — 2,913 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 Lat Pulldown Machine need?
Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Lat Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
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