Rack Pull vs Prone W Raise
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Prone W Raise is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 5. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Rack Pull and Prone W Raise for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Rack Pull vs Prone W Raise : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Rack Pull more often — 766 sessions compared to 518 for Prone W Raise.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Rack Pull and Prone W Raise 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 Prone W Raise Differ
| What differs | Rack Pull | Prone W Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 766 sessions | 518 sessions |
How to Rack Pull
Rack Pull muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
- 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. While supporting the weight with your back strength, slowly lower the barbell onto the rack.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
- 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!
How to Prone W Raise
Prone W Raise muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Fold your shoulder blades and lift your arms.
- 2. Slowly lower your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Be careful not to let the back of your neck or the tops of your shoulders rise up.
- 2. Keep your shoulders away from your ears and exercise with the feeling of pulling your shoulder blades downward to use your back muscles more precisely.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Prone W Raise, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Prone W Raise Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Rack Pull or Prone W Raise?
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 Rack Pull and Prone W Raise need?
Rack Pull needs a barbell, and Prone W Raise needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Prone W Raise is the easier place to start. Move to Rack Pull 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.

