Rope Arm Pulldown vs Pull Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Pull Up works multiple joints at once, Rope Arm Pulldown isolates — difficulty 4 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Back day.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Rope Arm Pulldown and Pull Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Rope Arm Pulldown vs Pull Up : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions compared to 2,393 for Rope Arm Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Rope Arm Pulldown and Pull Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Rope Arm Pulldown and Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Rope Arm Pulldown | Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back and triceps | back, traps, and biceps |
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 2,393 sessions | 15,437 sessions |
How to Rope Arm Pulldown
Rope Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the rope towards your body.
- 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to bend your arm.
- 2. Please be careful not to raise your arm higher than your shoulder.
- 3. Please be careful not to elevate your trapezius muscle.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Rope Arm Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Rope Arm Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
How to Pull Up
Pull Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, gently pull your arms back.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest relaxed.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Rope Arm Pulldown or Pull Up?
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions against 2,393 for Rope Arm Pulldown. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Rope Arm Pulldown and Pull Up work the same muscles?
Not quite. Rope Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps, and Pull Up loads back, traps, and biceps.
What equipment do Rope Arm Pulldown and Pull Up need?
Rope Arm Pulldown needs a machine, and Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Rope Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Pull Up once your form holds up.
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