Seated Row vs Standing Cable Row
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Standing Cable Row more often — 657 sessions vs 296. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Seated Row and Standing Cable Row and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Seated Row vs Standing Cable Row: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Standing Cable Row more often — 657 sessions compared to 296 for Seated Row.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Seated Row and Standing Cable 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 and Standing Cable Row Differ
| What differs | Seated Row | Standing Cable Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 296 sessions | 657 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 Standing Cable Row
Standing Cable Row Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. As you gather your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms back.
- 2. Pull until the grip touches your abdomen.
- 3. Return to the starting position by straightening your back and fully extending your elbows.
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.
- 3. Please stabilize your waist so it doesn't move back and forth.
For a full Standing Cable Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Standing Cable Row exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Seated Row or Standing Cable Row?
Planfit users log Standing Cable Row more often — 657 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 and Standing Cable Row need?
Seated Row needs bodyweight only, and Standing Cable Row needs a machine.
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