Pull Up vs Seated Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions vs 296. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pull Up and Seated Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Pull Up vs Seated Row : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions compared to 296 for Seated Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Pull Up and Seated Row differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Pull Up and Seated Row Differ
| What differs | Pull Up | Seated Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a pull-up bar | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 15,437 sessions | 296 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
How to Seated Row
Seated Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your elbow to brush past your side.
- 2. Please return to the starting position while maintaining strength in your back.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pull Up or Seated Row?
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions against 296 for Seated 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 Seated Row need?
Pull Up needs a pull-up bar, and Seated Row needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Row is the easier place to start. Move to Pull Up once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.
It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

