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Cable Lat Pull Down Single-Arm

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Intermediate

A unilateral vertical pulling exercise performed on a cable machine that targets the lats to build back width and correct strength imbalances.

About Exercise

Equipment

Single Cable Machine

Difficulty

3/5 • Intermediate

Primary Muscle Groups

Lats

Secondary Muscles

Shoulders, Obliques, Forearms

Popularity Score

7

Goals

Strength
Hypertrophy

Training Style

Bodybuilding
Functional Training

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Lats

10/10

Teres Major

Biceps

6/10

Traps

6/10

Lower Traps, Mid Traps

Shoulders

4/10

Rear Delts

Obliques

3/10

External Obliques

Forearms

3/10

Flexors

Programming

Typical Rep Range

8-15 reps

Rest Between Sets

60-90 seconds

How to Perform

Sit at a lat pulldown station or cable tower, securing your thighs under the pad. Grasp a single handle overhead with the working arm while bracing the non-working hand on the machine for stability.

  1. Initiate the movement by driving your elbow down toward your hip.
  2. Pull the handle until it reaches shoulder level, keeping your chest up.
  3. Squeeze your lat muscles firmly at the bottom of the movement.
  4. Control the weight back up to full arm extension.
  5. Maintain a stable torso and avoid twisting your spine.
  6. Complete all reps on one side before switching to the other.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Drive elbow to hip
  • Keep chest up
  • Resist rotation
  • Control the stretch

Breathing

Exhale as you pull the handle down; inhale as you return the arm to the starting position.

Tempo

3-0-1

Range of Motion

Full arm extension at the top to handle touching the shoulder or upper chest level at the bottom.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Avoid excessive spinal rotation
  • Keep the shoulder blade controlled
  • Use a weight that allows full range of motion

Spotting

Not recommended; use machine safeties or lighter weight.

Common Mistakes

  • Twisting the torso
  • Using momentum
  • Pulling with the biceps
  • Shrugging the shoulders

When to Avoid

  • Acute shoulder impingement
  • Recent back injury

Flexibility Needed

  • Shoulder flexion to 180 degrees
  • Thoracic mobility for rotation control

Build Up First

  • Master basic lat pulldown form
  • Core stability competency

Also known as

Single-Arm Cable Pulldown, One-Arm Lat Pulldown, Unilateral Lat Pulldown, Single Arm Pulldown

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