Seated Cable Row vs Close Grip Chin Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions vs 345. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Seated Cable Row and Close Grip Chin Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Cable Row vs Close Grip Chin Up : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions compared to 345 for Close Grip Chin Up.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Cable Row and Close Grip Chin Up differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Seated Cable Row and Close Grip Chin Up Differ
| What differs | Seated Cable Row | Close Grip Chin Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 52,786 sessions | 345 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Cable Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Cable Row Guide page of our blog!
How to Close Grip Chin Up
Close Grip Chin Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your arms back.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position with your chest relaxed.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please go up using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Chin Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Chin Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Cable Row or Close Grip Chin Up?
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions against 345 for Close Grip Chin 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 Close Grip Chin Up need?
Seated Cable Row needs a machine, and Close Grip Chin Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Cable Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Chin Up once your form holds up.
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