Counter-Weight One Arm Pull Up Progressions
Muscles worked
- Bicep
- Lat
- Forearm Flexors
- Chest
- Trapezius
Equipment


Form Cues
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Attach a pulley, cable, or resistance band to assist the non-working hand — this provides the counterweight that offloads part of your bodyweight during the pull
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Grip the bar with your working hand using a supinated (chin-up) or neutral grip, whichever feels strongest and most comfortable on your elbow and shoulder
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Depress and retract the shoulder blade of the working arm before initiating the pull — pack the shoulder down away from your ear to engage the lats properly
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Pull yourself up until your chin clears the bar, driving the elbow down and back while keeping the forearm vertical throughout the movement
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Control the eccentric (lowering) phase for 2-3 seconds on every rep — the slow negative builds tendon strength and motor control critical for one arm pulling
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Keep your core braced and legs slightly forward to prevent your body from rotating or twisting to the side of the working arm
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Minimize the assistance from the counterweight progressively over weeks — reduce band thickness, cable weight, or hand grip on the support to build true unilateral strength
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Work both sides equally in sets and reps to prevent strength imbalances — always start with your weaker arm first
Common mistakes
Built into a program made for you
Every exercise here adapts to your goals, equipment and schedule inside the app.