Seated Row vs Ring Pull Up

Which one fits your Back workout plan?

Contents

Planfit users log Seated Row more often — 296 sessions vs 4. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Compare the benefits of Seated Row and Ring Pull Up and pick the one that fits your Back workout.

Seated Row vs Ring Pull Up: 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 4 for Ring Pull Up.

What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Row and Ring Pull Up 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 Ring Pull Up Differ

What differsSeated RowRing Pull Up
Difficulty2 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users296 sessions4 sessions

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How to Do Seated Row

Seated Row demo video

Seated Row Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull your elbow to brush past your side.
  2. 2. Please return to the starting position while maintaining strength in your back.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Please keep your chest open so that your shoulders do not hunch forward.
  2. 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.

Want to learn more about Seated Row?Exercise Guide

How to Do Ring Pull Up

Ring Pull Up demo video

Ring Pull Up Muscles Worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your arms to bring your chest closer to the ring.
  2. 2. While gathering your shoulder blades inward and downward, naturally pull your arms.
  3. 3. Open your chest and slowly return to the starting position.

Coach's Tips

  1. 1. Maintain your posture so it doesn't get disrupted when you come down.
  2. 2. Go up with the feeling of moving your shoulder blades rather than using your arm strength.

For a full Ring Pull Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Ring Pull Up exercise guide.

Want to learn more about Ring Pull Up?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Seated Row or Ring Pull Up?

Planfit users log Seated Row more often — 296 sessions against 4 for Ring Pull Up. 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 Ring Pull Up need?

Seated Row needs bodyweight only, and Ring Pull Up needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Seated Row is the easier place to start. Move to Ring Pull Up once your form holds up.

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