Does rowing help with pull ups?
Sarah Oconnor
Updated on February 25, 2026
A rowing action may seem to make little sense in promoting pull-up strength, but the focus isn’t so much on the row itself. Being in a push-up position, you can’t load your upper back in a row like you can in a standing position.
Do rows and pullups work the same muscles?
Barbell rows and pullups work the same muscle groups. The latissimus dorsi, large muscles that run down each side of your spine, are the primary movers during both exercises. The muscles of your core, including your transverse abdominus and your obliques, activate during the pullup exercise to help stabilize your body.
What part of the body does a rowing machine target?
It targets the largest muscles needed for rowing in a boat — your upper back, arms, and shoulders to the quadriceps, glutes, and abdominal muscles — while replicating the movement pattern required. It’s a uniquely challenging, dynamic workout that helps create a baseline of strength and endurance.
What muscles should be sore after rowing?
Your muscles will feel tired (unrecovered) and sore to the touch. After rowing, you may feel this in your back, glutes, or shoulders. This muscle soreness should be in the thicker, middle region of the muscle (not near joints and tendons) and should go away within 48-72 hours.
Why rowing exercises are better than pull-ups?
They include Single-Arm Rows and Inverted Rows, which develop the major back muscles—your lats, traps and rhomboids. …
How long should you row for a good workout?
If you’re working out for health, using a rowing machine for 30 minutes a day at a moderate intensity — or 15 minutes per day at a vigorous intensity — is enough. But if you’re rowing for weight loss or sports training, you might need to do more.
What is a machine assisted chin-up?
machine assisted chin-up is a calisthenics and exercise machine exercise that primarily targets the middle back and to a lesser degree also targets the biceps, forearms, lats, lower back and shoulders. The only machine assisted chin-up equipment that you really need is the following: dip/chin-up machine.
Do assisted pull-ups work muscles?
Muscles Worked Using the Assisted Pull Up Machine. If you can’t, though, an assisted pullup machine will help you establish that foundation. The assisted pullup machine works the same primary muscles as unassisted pullups, but several stabilizers are not incorporated that would be during an unassisted pullup.
Is the rowing machine good for losing belly fat?
So the rowing machine provides a great workout…you can lose belly fat, they’re good for the abs, biceps, triceps, shoulders, quads, hammies…every major muscle in your body and most of the minor ones will be put to work with each stroke of the machine.
Is a rowing machine a good workout?
So when it comes down to strictly muscles engaged, the rowing machine is definitely at or near the top of the list. It’s a full body workout, and many of the smaller muscle groups that are engaged during your workout aren’t being targeted even on an elliptical machine as the motion is very different.