Seated Cable Row vs Dumbbell Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions vs 8,288. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Seated Cable Row and Dumbbell Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Seated Cable Row vs Dumbbell Row: 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 8,288 for Dumbbell Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Cable Row and Dumbbell Row 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 Dumbbell Row Differ
| What differs | Seated Cable Row | Dumbbell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a dumbbell |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 52,786 sessions | 8,288 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 Dumbbell Row
Dumbbell Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the dumbbell sideways so that it can go up vertically.
- 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. Using the strength of your back, lower your hands down to below your knees.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to arch your back too much or move it up and down.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full Dumbbell Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Dumbbell Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Cable Row or Dumbbell Row?
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions against 8,288 for Dumbbell Row. 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 Dumbbell Row need?
Seated Cable Row needs a machine, and Dumbbell Row needs a dumbbell.
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