Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Standing Cable Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 657. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and Standing Cable Row for Better Comparison.

Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Standing Cable 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 657 for Standing Cable Row.

Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and Standing Cable 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 Standing Cable Row Differ

What differsSmith Machine Barbell RowStanding Cable Row
Machine typeSmith-machinecable-driven
Difficulty3 of 52 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users4,483 sessions657 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 Standing Cable Row

Standing Cable Row gif

Standing Cable Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. As you gather your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms back.
  2. 2. Pull until the grip touches your abdomen.
  3. 3. Return to the starting position by straightening your back and fully extending your elbows.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
  2. 2. Please keep your chest open to avoid bending your waist.
  3. 3. Please stabilize your waist so it doesn't move back and forth.

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

Do you want to know more about Standing Cable Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Standing Cable Row?

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 657 for Standing Cable 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 Standing Cable Row need?

Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Standing Cable Row needs a machine.

Which is easier to start with?

Standing Cable Row is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.

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