Rack Pull vs Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions vs 766. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Rack Pull and Barbell Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Rack Pull vs Barbell Row : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions compared to 766 for Rack Pull.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Rack Pull and Barbell Row differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Rack Pull and Barbell Row Differ

What differsRack PullBarbell Row
Difficulty5 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users766 sessions18,910 sessions
Not sure whether Rack Pull or Barbell Row fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Rack Pull

Rack Pull gif

Rack Pull muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While supporting the weight with your back strength, slowly lower the barbell onto the rack.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Rack Pull, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Rack Pull Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Rack Pull methods?Exercise Guide

How to Barbell Row

Barbell Row gif

Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While supporting the weight with your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to let your back be too upright or move up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Rack Pull or Barbell Row?

Planfit users log Barbell Row more often — 18,910 sessions against 766 for Rack Pull. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

What equipment do Rack Pull and Barbell Row need?

Rack Pull needs a barbell, and Barbell Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Rack Pull once your form holds up.

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