Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row vs Rope Arm Pulldown

Maximizing Your Back Workout Plan

Contents

Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 sessions vs 455. Compare Back form, muscles worked, and when to use each.

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

Planfit Users' Choice about Underhand Smith Machine 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 455 for Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row.

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

What differsUnderhand Smith Machine Barbell RowRope Arm Pulldown
Muscles workedback, traps, and bicepsback and triceps
Machine typeSmith-machinecable-driven
Difficulty4 of 51 of 5
Sessions logged by Planfit users455 sessions2,393 sessions

Related comparisons

Not sure whether Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row or Rope Arm Pulldown fits your goal? Get a personalized plan

How to Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row gif

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Please pull towards your belly button so that the barbell 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row Guide page of our blog!

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

How to Rope Arm Pulldown

Rope Arm Pulldown gif

Rope Arm Pulldown muscles worked: Back

Form

  1. 1. Squeeze your armpits and pull the rope towards your body.
  2. 2. Slowly raise it back up to shoulder level.

Coach's Comment

  1. 1. Please be careful not to bend your arm.
  2. 2. Please be careful not to raise your arm higher than your shoulder.
  3. 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!

Do you want to know more about Rope Arm Pulldown methods?Exercise Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Planfit users log Rope Arm Pulldown more often — 2,393 sessions against 455 for Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row. Both train Back, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.

Do Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown work the same muscles?

Not quite. Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row loads back, traps, and biceps, and Rope Arm Pulldown loads back and triceps.

What equipment do Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row and Rope Arm Pulldown need?

Underhand Smith Machine Barbell Row needs a machine, 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 Smith Machine Barbell Row once your form holds up.

Get free AI personalized workout plan

Choosing exercises that align with your goals and body type is as important as consistency in your workout regime. Its about smart training that targets your specific fitness aspirations.

It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

Join 3.8M+ users who found their perfect workout plan

Get Personalized Plans
and More detailed guidance with Planfit

Banner Image