Rack Pull vs Ring Pull Up

Which one fits your Back workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Rack Pull more often — 766 sessions vs 4. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Rack Pull and Ring Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.

Rack Pull vs Ring Pull Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Rack Pull more often — 766 sessions compared to 4 for Ring Pull Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Rack Pull and Ring Pull Up differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Rack Pull and Ring Pull Up Differ

What differsRack PullRing Pull Up
Equipmenta barbellbodyweight only
Difficulty5 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users766 sessions4 sessions

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How to Do Rack Pull

Rack Pull demo video

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 Tips

  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.

For a full Rack Pull guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Rack Pull exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Rack Pull?Exercise Guide

How to Do Ring Pull Up

Ring Pull Up demo video

Ring Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms to bring your chest closer to the ring.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades inward and downward, naturally pull your arms.
  3. 3. Open your chest and slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Maintain your posture so it doesn't get disrupted when you come down.
  2. 2. Go up with the feeling of moving your shoulder blades rather than using your arm strength.

For a full Ring Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Ring Pull Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Ring Pull Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Rack Pull or Ring Pull Up?

Planfit users log Rack Pull more often — 766 sessions against 4 for Ring Pull Up. 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 Ring Pull Up need?

Rack Pull needs a barbell, and Ring Pull Up needs bodyweight only.

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