Pendlay Row vs Ring High Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions vs 47. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Pendlay Row and Ring High Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Pendlay Row vs Ring High Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions compared to 47 for Ring High Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Pendlay Row and Ring High Row 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 Ring High Row Differ
| What differs | Pendlay Row | Ring High Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 344 sessions | 47 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 Ring High Row
Ring High Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- 2. Pull until your chest touches the ring.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid rounding your back.
For a full Ring High Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Ring High Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Ring High Row?
Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions against 47 for Ring High 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 Ring High Row need?
Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Ring High Row needs bodyweight only.
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