Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Pull Up
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions vs 4,483. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and Pull Up for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Pull Up : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions compared to 4,483 for Smith Machine Barbell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and 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 Pull Up Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Barbell Row | Pull Up |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | a machine | a pull-up bar |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,483 sessions | 15,437 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 Pull Up
Pull Up muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull your arms back until your chest touches the bar.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, gently pull your arms back.
- 3. Slowly return to the starting position while keeping your chest relaxed.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to lose your starting position when you come down.
- 2. Please rise using the strength of your shoulder blades, not your arms.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Pull Up, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Pull Up Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Pull Up?
Planfit users log Pull Up more often — 15,437 sessions against 4,483 for Smith Machine Barbell 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 Pull Up need?
Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Pull Up needs a pull-up bar.
Which is easier to start with?
Smith Machine Barbell Row is the easier place to start. Move to Pull Up once your form holds up.
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