Seated Row Machine vs Seated Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions vs 296. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Seated Row Machine and Seated Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Seated Row Machine vs Seated Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions compared to 296 for Seated Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Row Machine and Seated 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 Row Machine and Seated Row Differ
| What differs | Seated Row Machine | Seated Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | bodyweight only |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 16,586 sessions | 296 sessions |
How to Do Seated Row Machine
Seated Row Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. While gathering your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms.
- 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 waist.
For a full Seated Row Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Seated Row Machine exercise guide.
How to Do Seated Row
Seated Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your elbow to brush past your side.
- 2. Please return to the starting position while maintaining strength in your back.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
For a full Seated Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Seated Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Row Machine or Seated Row?
Planfit users log Seated Row Machine more often — 16,586 sessions against 296 for Seated 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 Seated Row need?
Seated Row Machine needs a machine, and Seated Row needs bodyweight only.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Row Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Seated Row once your form holds up.
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