Seated Cable Row vs Wide Pulldown Machine
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions vs 7,817. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Seated Cable Row and Wide Pulldown Machine and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Seated Cable Row vs Wide Pulldown Machine: 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 7,817 for Wide Pulldown Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Cable Row and Wide Pulldown Machine 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 Wide Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Seated Cable Row | Wide Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | cable-driven | plate-loaded |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 52,786 sessions | 7,817 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 Wide Pulldown Machine
Wide Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Gather your shoulder blades and naturally pull your arms.
- 2. Lower until your elbows are positioned at your sides.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest open.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
- 2. Please keep your chest open so that your lower back doesn't round.
For a full Wide Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Wide Pulldown Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Cable Row or Wide Pulldown Machine?
Planfit users log Seated Cable Row more often — 52,786 sessions against 7,817 for Wide Pulldown Machine. 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 Wide Pulldown Machine need?
Seated Cable Row needs a machine, and Wide Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Wide Pulldown Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Seated Cable Row once your form holds up.
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