Pull Up vs Seated Row Machine
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Seated Row Machine is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 4. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Pull Up and Seated Row Machine for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Pull Up vs Seated Row Machine : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions compared to 15,437 for Pull Up.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Pull Up and Seated Row Machine 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 Machine Differ
| What differs | Pull Up | Seated Row Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a pull-up bar | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 15,437 sessions | 16,586 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 Machine
Seated Row Machine muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. Return to the starting position by fully extending your elbows while keeping your back straight.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid bending your waist.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Row Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Row Machine Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Pull Up or Seated Row Machine?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Pull Up and Seated Row Machine need?
Pull Up needs a pull-up bar, and Seated Row Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Row Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Pull Up once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
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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.
