Seated Row vs One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Seated Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 5. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Seated Row and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Seated Row vs One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Seated Row more often — 296 sessions compared to 152 for One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Seated Row and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine 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 and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Seated Row | One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 296 sessions | 152 sessions |
How to 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 Comment
- 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
- 2. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Seated Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Seated Row Guide page of our blog!
How to One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine
One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pass your elbows by your body and pull the handle towards your chest.
- 2. Feel the contraction of your latissimus dorsi and control it slowly.
- 3. Extend your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Be careful not to excessively arch your back.
- 2. Do not use excessive weight; proceed slowly and with control.
If you want to know a detailed guide to One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Row or One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Seated Row and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine need?
Seated Row needs bodyweight only, and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Seated Row is the easier place to start. Move to One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine once your form holds up.
Get free AI personalized workout plan
Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.
It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

