Seated Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Seated Row more often — 296 sessions vs 132. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Seated Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Seated Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Row more often — 296 sessions compared to 132 for Close Grip Lat Pulldown.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown 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 and Close Grip Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Seated Row | Close Grip Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 296 sessions | 132 sessions |
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.
How to Do Close Grip Lat Pulldown
Close Grip Lat Pulldown Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Bend your elbows and pull the bar towards your chest.
- 2. After contracting your latissimus dorsi, slowly return to the starting position.
- 3. Make sure your elbows do not fully lock out.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Be careful not to excessively arch your back.
- 2. Relax your shoulders and proceed without tensing them up.
- 3. Maintain the correct posture with an appropriate weight.
For a full Close Grip Lat Pulldown guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Close Grip Lat Pulldown exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Row or Close Grip Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Seated Row more often — 296 sessions against 132 for Close Grip Lat Pulldown. 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 and Close Grip Lat Pulldown need?
Seated Row needs bodyweight only, and Close Grip Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Lat Pulldown once your form holds up.
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