Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Wide Grip Seated Cable Row
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Wide Grip Seated Cable Row is the easier place to start — difficulty 2 of 5 vs 3. Compare Back form cues and when to progress.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Smith Machine Barbell Row and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Wide Grip Seated 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 3,456 for Wide Grip Seated Cable Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Smith Machine Barbell Row and Wide Grip Seated 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 Wide Grip Seated Cable Row Differ
| What differs | Smith Machine Barbell Row | Wide Grip Seated Cable Row |
|---|---|---|
| Machine type | Smith-machine | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 4,483 sessions | 3,456 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 Wide Grip Seated Cable Row
Wide Grip Seated Cable Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. As you gather your shoulder blades, naturally pull your arms back.
- 2. Pull until the grip touches your abdomen.
- 3. Return to the starting position with your back straight and your elbows fully extended.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to let your elbows flare out.
- 2. Please keep your chest open so that your back doesn't round.
- 3. Please stabilize your back so that it doesn't move back and forth.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Wide Grip Seated Cable Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Wide Grip Seated Cable Row Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Smith Machine Barbell Row or Wide Grip Seated Cable Row?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Back, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
What equipment do Smith Machine Barbell Row and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row need?
Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, and Wide Grip Seated Cable Row needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Wide Grip Seated Cable Row is the easier place to start. Move to Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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