Romanian Deadlift vs One Arm Machine Seated Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
One Arm Machine Seated Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 3. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Compare the benefits of Romanian Deadlift and One Arm Machine Seated Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Romanian Deadlift vs One Arm Machine Seated Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Romanian Deadlift more often — 12,198 sessions compared to 8,631 for One Arm Machine Seated Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Romanian Deadlift and One Arm Machine Seated Row 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 One Arm Machine Seated Row Differ
| What differs | Romanian Deadlift | One Arm Machine Seated Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 12,198 sessions | 8,631 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 One Arm Machine Seated Row
One Arm Machine Seated Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. While keeping your back straight, fully extend your elbows and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full One Arm Machine Seated Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the One Arm Machine Seated Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Romanian Deadlift or One Arm Machine Seated 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 Romanian Deadlift and One Arm Machine Seated Row need?
Romanian Deadlift needs a barbell, and One Arm Machine Seated Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
One Arm Machine Seated Row is the easier place to start. Move to Romanian Deadlift once your form holds up.
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