Back · Cable
Cable Single Arm Row
How to do the cable single arm row, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Cable
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Horizontal Row
- Mechanic
- Compound
How to do it
Hinge forward at the hips with a flat back and let the weight hang at arm's length. Pull the weight toward your torso by squeezing your shoulder blades together. Lower the weight back to the starting position.
- 1Feel the stretch across your lat as your arm extends and the contraction as you pull back
- 2Keep your torso still and core engaged to isolate the working side
- 3Drive your elbow past your ribcage and squeeze your shoulder blade
Common mistakes
- Avoid twisting your torso or leaning; keep shoulders square
- Don't shrug your shoulder or let it roll forward
- Avoid locking your wrist; keep it aligned with your forearm
Muscles worked
The cable single arm row mainly works the lats and mid traps, with the biceps, forearms, lower back, and rear delts assisting.
- LatsPrimary
- Mid TrapsPrimary
- BicepsSupport
- ForearmsSupport
- Lower BackSupport
- Rear DeltsSupport
- Upper TrapsMinor
- Lower TrapsMinor
- Upper AbsMinor
Cable Single Arm Row strength standards
See how your cable single arm row ranks, from Bronze to Champion. These are the same standards the Kovo app uses to rank your lifts.
Bronzee1RM97.5 lb
Silvere1RM145 lb
Golde1RM202.5 lb
Platinume1RM262.5 lb
Diamonde1RM297.5 lb
Champione1RM325 lb
Find your rank
Enter your best set. We estimate your 1RM and match it to a tier.
Kovo tracks this rank automatically as you train, across every lift, and levels you up as you get stronger.
Kovo programs the cable single arm row for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More back exercises
- How to do the archer pull-up
- How to do the resistance band assisted pull-up
- How to do the machine assisted pull-up
- How to do the back extension bench back extension
- How to do the machine back extension
- How to do the back lever
Last reviewed April 2026.