Rack Pull vs Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 5. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.

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

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

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Rack Pull more often — 766 sessions compared to 455 for Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Rack Pull and Underhand Smith Machine 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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row Differ

What differsRack PullUnderhand Smith Machine Barbell Row
Equipmenta barbella machine
Difficulty5 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users766 sessions455 sessions

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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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row gif

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While holding the weight with your back strength, 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 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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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 Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row need?

Rack Pull needs a barbell, and Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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