Seated Row Machine vs Arm Pulldown

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Seated Row Machine works multiple joints at once, Arm Pulldown isolates — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 1. See which fits your Back day.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Seated Row Machine and Arm Pulldown for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Row Machine vs Arm Pulldown : Which is Better?

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions compared to 16,586 for Seated Row Machine.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Row Machine and Arm Pulldown differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.

How Seated Row Machine and Arm Pulldown Differ

What differsSeated Row MachineArm Pulldown
Muscles workedback, traps, and bicepsback and triceps
Machine typepin-loadedcable-driven
Difficulty1 of 51 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users16,586 sessions34,261 sessions

Related comparisons

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How to Seated Row Machine

Seated Row Machine gif

Seated Row Machine muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms.
  2. 2. Pull until your elbows are vertical.
  3. 3. Return to the starting position by fully extending your elbows while keeping your back straight.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid bending your waist.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Row Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Row Machine Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Seated Row Machine methods?Exercise Guide

How to Arm Pulldown

Arm Pulldown gif

Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the bar towards your body.
  2. 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to bend your arms.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to raise your arms above shoulder level.
  3. 3. Please be careful not to elevate your trapezius muscles.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Arm Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Arm Pulldown Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Arm Pulldown methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Seated Row Machine or Arm Pulldown?

Planfit users log Arm Pulldown more often — 34,261 sessions against 16,586 for Seated Row Machine. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Seated Row Machine and Arm Pulldown work the same muscles?

Not quite. Seated Row Machine loads back, traps, and biceps, and Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps.

What equipment do Seated Row Machine and Arm Pulldown need?

Seated Row Machine needs a machine, and Arm Pulldown needs a machine.

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