Lat exercises

Cable Single-arm Row

Also known as: Rowing unilatéral à la poulie · Μονόπλευρη κωπηλατική στην τροχαλία · one-arm cable row · single arm cable row

Primary
Lats
Equipment
Cable
Level
Intermediate
Type
Compound
Suggested rest
1.5 min
 
One side at a time

How to do the Cable Single-arm Row

  1. Clip a single handle to a low or mid pulley and hold it in one hand.

  2. Stand or sit with a straight back and your arm extended in front.

  3. Pull the handle toward your hip, driving your elbow back.

  4. Return under control and finish your reps before switching arms.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–48–121.5 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 2.5 kg (5 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Lats

Secondary

Upper back, Biceps

The widest muscles of your back pull the arms down and back. Pull-ups, pulldowns and rows with the elbows close to the body build the V-taper.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Cable Single-arm Row doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

Train smarter

Cable lat exercises