Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Kettlebell Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 127. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and Kettlebell Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Kettlebell 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 127 for Kettlebell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and Kettlebell 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 Kettlebell Row Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Barbell Row | Kettlebell Row |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a kettlebell |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,483 sessions | 127 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 Kettlebell Row
Kettlebell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please hold the kettlebell with both hands while leaning your upper body forward.
- 2. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and pull your elbows back to lift the kettlebell.
- 3. Raise it until your elbows are vertical, then slowly return to the starting position.
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 Kettlebell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Kettlebell Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Kettlebell Row?
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 127 for Kettlebell 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 Kettlebell Row need?
Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Kettlebell Row needs a kettlebell.
Which is easier to start with?
Kettlebell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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