Seated Row Machine vs Pendlay Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions vs 344. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

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

Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions compared to 344 for Pendlay Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Row Machine and Pendlay Row 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 Pendlay Row Differ

What differsSeated Row MachinePendlay Row
Equipmenta machinea barbell
Difficulty1 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users16,586 sessions344 sessions

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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 Pendlay Row

Pendlay Row gif

Pendlay Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. Hold the weight with your back strength and lower it completely to the ground.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Seated Row Machine or Pendlay Row?

Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions against 344 for Pendlay 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 Row Machine and Pendlay Row need?

Seated Row Machine needs a machine, and Pendlay Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

Seated Row Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Pendlay Row once your form holds up.

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