Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Underhand Barbell Row

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 1,183. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Underhand Barbell 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 1,183 for Underhand Barbell Row.

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

What differsSmith Machine Barbell RowUnderhand Barbell Row
Equipmenta machinea barbell
Difficulty3 of 54 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users4,483 sessions1,183 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 Underhand Barbell Row

Underhand Barbell Row gif

Underhand Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
  2. 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
  3. 3. While holding the weight with your back strength, 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 Underhand Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

Do you want to know more about Underhand Barbell Row methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 1,183 for Underhand 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 Underhand Barbell Row need?

Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Underhand Barbell Row needs a barbell.

Which is easier to start with?

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

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