Romanian Deadlift vs Lat Pulldown
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions vs 12,198. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Romanian Deadlift and Lat Pulldown and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Romanian Deadlift vs Lat Pulldown: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions compared to 12,198 for Romanian Deadlift.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Romanian Deadlift and Lat Pulldown differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Romanian Deadlift and Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Romanian Deadlift | Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 12,198 sessions | 81,834 sessions |
How to Do Romanian Deadlift
Romanian Deadlift Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Lower the barbell vertically to just below your knees while keeping it attached to your body.
- 2. As you go down, let your hips move back first and naturally bend your knees.
- 3. When coming up, straighten your knees first and bring your hips forward.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let the barbell come away from your body.
- 2. Keep your arms straight so that your elbows do not bend.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full Romanian Deadlift guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Romanian Deadlift exercise guide.
How to Do Lat Pulldown
Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Lower your forearms vertically.
- 3. Pull until the bar touches your collarbone.
- 4. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
For a full Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Romanian Deadlift or Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Lat Pulldown more often — 81,834 sessions against 12,198 for Romanian Deadlift. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Romanian Deadlift and Lat Pulldown need?
Romanian Deadlift needs a barbell, and Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Romanian Deadlift once your form holds up.
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