Underhand Barbell Row vs Rope Arm Pulldown
Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan
Contents
Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 sessions vs 1,183. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Customize Your Back Workout: Explore the Benefits of Underhand Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Underhand Barbell Row vs Rope Arm Pulldown : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 sessions compared to 1,183 for Underhand Barbell Row.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Underhand Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Underhand Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown Differ
| What differs | Underhand Barbell Row | Rope Arm Pulldown |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back, traps, and biceps | back and triceps |
| Equipment | a barbell | a machine |
| Difficulty | 4 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,183 sessions | 2,393 sessions |
How to Underhand Barbell Row
Underhand Barbell Row muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Please pull the barbell towards your belly button so that it can go up vertically.
- 2. While bringing your shoulder blades together, naturally pull your elbows and hands.
- 3. While holding the weight with your back strength, 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 Underhand Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!
How to Rope Arm Pulldown
Rope Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back
Form
- 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the rope towards your body.
- 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.
Coach's Comment
- 1. Please be careful not to bend your arm.
- 2. Please be careful not to raise your arm higher than your shoulder.
- 3. Please be careful not to elevate your trapezius muscle.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Rope Arm Pulldown, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Rope Arm Pulldown Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Back, Underhand Barbell Row or Rope Arm Pulldown?
Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 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.
Do Underhand Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown work the same muscles?
Not quite. Underhand Barbell Row loads back, traps, and biceps, and Rope Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps.
What equipment do Underhand Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown need?
Underhand Barbell Row needs a barbell, and Rope Arm Pulldown needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Rope Arm Pulldown is the easier place to start. Move to Underhand Barbell Row once your form holds up.
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