Pull Up vs One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions vs 152. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Pull Up and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Pull Up vs One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine: 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 152 for One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Pull Up and One Arm Wide 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 Pull Up and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Pull Up | One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a pull-up bar | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 15,437 sessions | 152 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 One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine
One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pass your elbows by your body and pull the handle towards your chest.
- 2. Feel the contraction of your latissimus dorsi and control it slowly.
- 3. Extend your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Be careful not to excessively arch your back.
- 2. Do not use excessive weight; proceed slowly and with control.
For a full One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pull Up or One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine?
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions against 152 for One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine. 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 One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine need?
Pull Up needs a pull-up bar, and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Pull Up is the easier place to start. Move to One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine once your form holds up.
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