Exercise guide
Cable One Arm Lateral Bent Over
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper legs
This isolation exercise targets the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles, providing constant cable tension to improve shoulder posture and rear-shoulder thickness.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Set the cable pulley to the lowest position and attach a D-handle.
- Stand sideways to the cable machine and hinge at the hips until your torso is nearly parallel to the floor.
- Reach across your body with the hand furthest from the machine to grasp the handle with a neutral grip.
- Place your non-working hand on your knee or the cable upright for stability, keeping your back flat and knees slightly bent.
How to do it
- Exhale and raise your arm out to the side in a wide arc, keeping a slight bend in the elbow throughout the movement.
- Continue the lift until your arm is parallel to the floor, leading the movement with your elbow and knuckles.
- Inhale as you slowly lower the handle back across your body to the starting position, maintaining tension on the cable.
- Perform the movement with a controlled 2-1-2 tempo (2 seconds up, 1 second pause, 2 seconds down).
Form checklist
- Keep your torso stationary; do not use momentum or 'swing' the weight up.
- Maintain a flat back and engaged core to protect the lumbar spine.
- Ensure the movement occurs at the shoulder joint, not by bending the elbow.
- Keep your neck in a neutral position by looking at a point on the floor a few feet in front of you.
Pro tips
- Think about 'pushing' the handle away toward the walls rather than pulling it up to better isolate the posterior deltoid.
- Focus on the mind-muscle connection by squeezing your shoulder blade toward the spine at the peak of the movement.
Make it harder
- Add a 2-second isometric hold at the top of each repetition to maximize time under tension.
- Slow the eccentric (lowering) phase to 4 seconds to increase metabolic stress on the rear deltoid.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the cable one arm lateral bent over work?
- The cable one arm lateral bent over primarily targets the deltoids, and also works the erector spinae, glutes, obliques, and quadriceps as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the cable one arm lateral bent over?
- The cable one arm lateral bent over uses cable.
- Is the cable one arm lateral bent over good for beginners?
- The cable one arm lateral bent over is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
Related exercises
- Alternate Front Kick In Place With Arm CirclesBeginner · abs, calves, deltoids, and pectorals
- Band Bent Over Rear Deltoid KickbackIntermediate · deltoids and rhomboids
- Barbell Behind The Back Push PressAdvanced · deltoids, glutes, and quadriceps
- Barbell High PullIntermediate · deltoids, erector spinae, glutes, hamstrings, and trapezius