Smith Machine Barbell Row vs One Arm Pull Up

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 14. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and One Arm Pull Up for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs One Arm Pull Up : 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 14 for One Arm Pull Up.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and One Arm Pull Up 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 One Arm Pull Up Differ

What differsSmith Machine Barbell RowOne Arm Pull Up
Equipmenta machinebodyweight only
One side at a timeNoYes
Difficulty3 of 55 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users4,483 sessions14 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 One Arm Pull Up

One Arm Pull Up gif

One Arm Pull Up muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Pull your body up with one arm until your chin goes above the bar.
  2. 2. Maintain your balance while going up to keep your upper body steady.
  3. 3. Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position while maintaining tension.
  4. 4. If needed, it's okay to lightly hook your opposite finger on the bar for assistance.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Attempting without being prepared increases the risk of injury.
  2. 2. If you lack strength, use assistive bands or equipment to progress gradually.
  3. 3. Make sure to maintain a firm grip to avoid excessive strain on your wrists and shoulders.

If you want to know a detailed guide to One Arm Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the One Arm Pull Up Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about One Arm Pull Up methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or One Arm Pull Up?

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 14 for One Arm 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row and One Arm Pull Up need?

Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and One Arm Pull Up needs bodyweight only.

Which is easier to start with?

Smith Machine Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to One Arm Pull Up once your form holds up.

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