TETSUBarbell Pendlay Row vs Skin The Cat
The Barbell Pendlay Row and the Skin The Cat both train the upper back as their primary muscle. The Barbell Pendlay Row uses a barbell while the Skin The Cat is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Barbell Pendlay Row | Skin The Cat | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | upper back | upper back |
| Body part | back | back |
| Supporting muscles | biceps and forearms | shoulders and core |
| Equipment | barbell | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 6 |
How each one starts
Barbell Pendlay Row — first steps
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent.
- Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight and your chest up.
Skin The Cat — first steps
- Start by hanging from a bar with your arms fully extended and your body relaxed.
- Engage your core and lift your legs up, bringing your knees towards your chest.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Barbell Pendlay Row lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps. The Skin The Cat needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the upper back adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Barbell Pendlay Row better than the Skin The Cat?
Neither is universally better — both train the upper back as the primary mover. The Barbell Pendlay Row lets you load the heaviest weights and progress in small, steady jumps, while the Skin The Cat needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Barbell Pendlay Row and the Skin The Cat in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the upper back. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Barbell Pendlay Row and the Skin The Cat work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the upper back. Supporting muscles differ slightly — biceps and forearms for the Barbell Pendlay Row versus shoulders and core for the Skin The Cat.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.