How to Do Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row
Start and end of one clean rep of Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Back |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | Biceps |
| Equipment | Cable |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row
- Attach a single handle to a high pulley and make your weight selection.
- Kneel in front of the cable tower, taking the cable with one hand with your arm extended. This will be your starting position.
- Starting with your palm facing forward, pull the weight down to your torso by flexing the elbow and retract the shoulder blade. As you do so, rotate the wrist so that at the completion of the movement, your palm is now facing you.
- After a brief pause, return to the starting position.
Muscles worked
- Back (primary): pulls the arms down and toward the torso and keeps the spine stable.
- Biceps (secondary): bends the elbow and turns the palm up during pulls and curls.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Start each rep by pulling the shoulder blades in first, then drive with the elbows — think of pulling with the elbows, not the hands.
- Keep tension on the cable through the whole range — pause before the stack touches down instead of letting it crash.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Breathe out on the effort and in on the return, keeping one steady rhythm across the set.
Common mistakes
- Yanking with the arms and forgetting the back, so the biceps give out before the target muscle does.
- Letting the stack yank the working muscle back at the end of each rep.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row work?
Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row mainly works the back, with the biceps helping as secondary movers.
What equipment do I need for Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row?
Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row needs a cable station with the right handle attachment.
How many sets and reps should I do for Kneeling Single-Arm High Pulley Row?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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