Seated Cable Row vs Butterfly Pull Up
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions vs 14. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Seated Cable Row and Butterfly Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Seated Cable Row vs Butterfly Pull Up: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions compared to 14 for Butterfly Pull Up.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Cable Row and Butterfly 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 Seated Cable Row and Butterfly Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Seated Cable Row | Butterfly Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 52,786 sessions | 14 sessions |
How to Do Seated Cable Row
Seated Cable Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while gathering your shoulder blades.
- 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
- 3. Return to the starting position by fully extending your elbows while keeping your back straight.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid bending your back.
- 3. Please stabilize your back so it doesn't move back and forth.
For a full Seated Cable Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Seated Cable Row exercise guide.
How to Do Butterfly Pull Up
Butterfly Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Use the recoil to pull your arms so that your chest touches the bar.
- 2. Pull your arms naturally while squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- 3. Please repeat for the specified number of times.
Coach's Tips
- Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades instead of your arms.
For a full Butterfly Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Butterfly Pull Up exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Cable Row or Butterfly Pull Up?
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions against 14 for Butterfly 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 Seated Cable Row and Butterfly Pull Up need?
Seated Cable Row needs a machine, and Butterfly Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Cable Row is the easier place to start. Move to Butterfly Pull Up once your form holds up.
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