Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions vs 1,311. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown : 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 1,311 for Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown 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 Cable Lat Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Barbell Row | Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Smith-machine | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,483 sessions | 1,311 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 Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown
Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Pull your arms back naturally while gathering your shoulder blades.
- 2. Pull until the bar touches your sternum.
- 3. Slowly raise your arms and return to the starting position.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to strain your shoulders by fully extending your shoulders and arms.
- 2. Please be careful not to let your trapezius muscles rise.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown?
Planfit users log Smith Machine Barbell Row more often — 4,483 sessions against 1,311 for Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown. 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 Cable Lat Pulldown need?
Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Underhand Cable Lat Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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