Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Close Grip T-bar Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 543. 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 T-bar Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Close Grip T-bar Row : 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 543 for Close Grip T-bar Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and Close Grip T-bar Row 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 T-bar Row Differ

What differsSmith Machine Barbell RowClose Grip T-bar Row
Machine typeSmith-machineplate-loaded
Difficulty3 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users4,483 sessions543 sessions

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How to Smith Machine Barbell Row

Smith Machine Barbell Row gif

Smith Machine Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the bar towards your belly button.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. Hold the weight with the strength of your back and lower your hands down to below your knees.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to overly straighten your back or move it up and down.
  3. 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!

Do you want to know more about Smith Machine Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

How to Close Grip T-bar Row

Close Grip T-bar Row gif

Close Grip T-bar Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. As you gather your shoulder blades, gently pull your arms.
  2. 2. Pull your elbows until they reach your sides.
  3. 3. While keeping your chest open, slowly extend your arms and return to the starting position.

Coach's Comment

  1. Please keep your chest up to avoid slouching your back.

If you want to know a detailed guide to Close Grip T-bar Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Close Grip T-bar Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Close Grip T-bar Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Close Grip T-bar Row?

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 543 for Close Grip T-bar Row. 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 T-bar Row need?

Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Close Grip T-bar Row needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Smith Machine Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Close Grip T-bar Row once your form holds up.

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