Pull Up vs Butterfly Pull Up
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions vs 14. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Pull Up and Butterfly Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Pull Up vs Butterfly Pull Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions compared to 14 for Butterfly Pull Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Pull Up and Butterfly Pull Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Pull Up and Butterfly Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Pull Up | Butterfly Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 15,437 sessions | 14 sessions |
How to Do Pull Up
Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, gently pull your arms back.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest relaxed.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
For a full Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Pull Up exercise guide.
How to Do Butterfly Pull Up
Butterfly Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Use the recoil to pull your arms so that your chest touches the bar.
- 2. Pull your arms naturally while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- 3. Please repeat for the specified number of times.
Coach's Tips
- Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades instead of your arms.
For a full Butterfly Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Butterfly Pull Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pull Up or Butterfly Pull Up?
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions against 14 for Butterfly Pull Up. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Pull Up and Butterfly Pull Up need?
Pull Up needs a pull-up bar, and Butterfly Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Pull Up is the easier place to start. Move to Butterfly Pull Up once your form holds up.
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