Smith Machine Barbell Row vs One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine
Which one fits your Back workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 152. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine and pick the one that fits your Back workout.
Smith Machine Barbell Row vs One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions compared to 152 for One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Smith Machine Barbell Row and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Smith Machine Barbell Row and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Barbell Row | One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Smith-machine | plate-loaded |
| One side at a time | No | Yes |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,483 sessions | 152 sessions |
How to Do 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 Tips
- 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.
For a full Smith Machine Barbell Row guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Smith Machine Barbell Row exercise guide.
How to Do One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine
One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine Muscles Worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pass your elbows by your body and pull the handle towards your chest.
- 2. Feel the contraction of your latissimus dorsi and control it slowly.
- 3. Extend your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Be careful not to excessively arch your back.
- 2. Do not use excessive weight; proceed slowly and with control.
For a full One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine?
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 152 for One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine. 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 Wide Pulldown Machine need?
Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Smith Machine Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to One Arm Wide Pulldown Machine once your form holds up.
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