Pendlay Row vs Weighted Chin Up

Which one fits your Back workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions vs 52. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Pendlay Row and Weighted Chin Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.

Pendlay Row vs Weighted Chin Up: 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 52 for Weighted Chin Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Pendlay Row and Weighted Chin Up 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 Weighted Chin Up Differ

What differsPendlay RowWeighted Chin Up
Equipmenta barbella pull-up bar
Difficulty5 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users344 sessions52 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Pendlay Row or Weighted Chin Up fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Do Pendlay Row

Pendlay Row demo video

Pendlay Row Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. Hold the weight with your back strength and lower it completely to the ground.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 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.

Want to learn more about Pendlay Row?Exercise Guide

How to Do Weighted Chin Up

Weighted Chin Up demo video

Weighted Chin Up Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your arms back.
  3. 3. Slowly return to the starting position with your chest relaxed.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
  2. 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.

For a full Weighted Chin Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Weighted Chin Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Weighted Chin Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Pendlay Row or Weighted Chin Up?

Planfit users log Pendlay Row more often — 344 sessions against 52 for Weighted Chin 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 Weighted Chin Up need?

Pendlay Row needs a barbell, and Weighted Chin Up needs a pull-up bar.

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