GymPlan AI
Exercises › Back › Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows

Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows

Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows is an intermediate compound cable exercise that mainly works your upper back, with help from your biceps, lats and traps.

💪 Upper back🏋️ Cable📈 Intermediate🔗 Compound🎯 3-5 sets of 5-10 reps
Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows: starting position
Starting position
Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows: end position
End position

How to do the seated one-arm cable pulley rows

  1. To get into the starting position, first sit down on the machine and place your feet on the front platform or crossbar provided making sure that your knees are slightly bent and not locked.
  2. Lean over as you keep the natural alignment of your back and grab the single handle attachment with your left arm using a palms-down grip.
  3. With your arm extended pull back until your torso is at a 90-degree angle from your legs. Your back should be slightly arched and your chest should be sticking out. You should be feeling a nice stretch on your lat as you hold the bar in front of you. The right arm can be kept by the waist. This is the starting position of the exercise.
  4. Keeping the torso stationary, pull the handles back towards your torso while keeping the arms close to it as you rotate the wrist, so that by the time your hand is by your abdominals it is in a neutral position (palms facing the torso). Breathe out as you perform that movement. At that point you should be squeezing your back muscles hard.
  5. Hold that contraction for a second and slowly go back to the original position while breathing in. Tip: Remember to rotate the wrist as you go back to the starting position so that the palms are facing down again.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions and then perform the same movement with the right hand.

Muscles worked

Primary: Upper backSecondary: BicepsSecondary: LatsSecondary: Traps

Sets and reps

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

Track your seated one-arm cable pulley rows with GymPlan AI

Log every set in seconds, see your progress on charts, and ask the AI coach to build a plan around your goals and equipment. 7 days free, no card needed.

Start your free trial

Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows alternatives

Exercises that train the same main muscle, including options with other equipment.

Dumbbell RowDumbbell · BeginnerInverted RowBodyweight · BeginnerBent Over RowBarbell · BeginnerSeated Cable RowCable · BeginnerLeverage High RowMachine · BeginnerSled RowOther · Beginner

FAQ

What muscles does the seated one-arm cable pulley rows work?

It mainly works your upper back; your biceps, lats and traps assist.

How many sets and reps of seated one-arm cable pulley rows should I do?

For strength, do 3-5 sets of 5-8 reps with 2-3 minutes of rest. For muscle growth, 3-4 sets of 8-12 reps with 90 seconds of rest. Add a little weight when you hit the top of the range on every set.

Is the seated one-arm cable pulley rows good for beginners?

It suits lifters with some experience. Beginners can start with a lighter weight or one of the alternatives below.

More back exercises →