Pull Up vs Incline Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions vs 4,137. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Pull Up and Incline Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Pull Up vs Incline Row: 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 4,137 for Incline Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Pull Up and Incline Row 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 Incline Row Differ
| What differs | Pull Up | Incline Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a pull-up bar | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 15,437 sessions | 4,137 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 Incline Row
Incline Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull until your elbow forms a right angle.
- 2. Move your forearm vertically while fully extending your elbow to return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Be careful not to let your arms swing forward or backward.
- 2. Focus on pulling with the muscles on the sides of your back so that your shoulders do not shrug upward.
- 3. When lowering, resist the weight of the dumbbells and lower them slowly so that your arms do not drop.
For a full Incline Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Incline Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pull Up or Incline Row?
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions against 4,137 for Incline Row. 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 Incline Row need?
Pull Up needs a pull-up bar, and Incline Row needs a dumbbell.
Which is easier to start with?
Incline Row is the easier place to start. Move to Pull Up once your form holds up.
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