Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 132. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Close Grip Lat Pulldown : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions compared to 132 for Close Grip Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Smith Machine Barbell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Barbell Row | Close Grip Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Smith-machine | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,483 sessions | 132 sessions |
How to Smith Machine Barbell Row
Smith Machine Barbell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the bar towards your belly button.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. Hold the weight with the strength of your back and lower your hands down to below your knees.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
- 3. Engage your core to prevent your back from rounding.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Smith Machine Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Smith Machine Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!
How to 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 Comment
- 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.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip Lat Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip Lat Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Close Grip Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row and Close Grip Lat Pulldown need?
Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Close Grip Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Smith Machine Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip Lat Pulldown once your form holds up.
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