Lever High Row

Lever High Row
English NameLever High Row (Plate-Loaded High Row)
DifficultyIntermediate
Movement Patterns Pull Pattern
Muscle Contraction Types Mixed (Con + Ecc)
Primary Muscle (EN)Latissimus Dorsi
Muscle GroupsBack muscles Shoulder Muscles
Workout TypeStrength training
Required equipmentMachine

💠 Exercise guide

✅ The lever high row is one of the most effective exercises for strengthening and building the mid and lower back muscles. Its movement pattern combines elements of the lat pulldown and the seated row, but with greater control and more focused tension on the back and lower scapular muscles.

💠 How to perform the exercise

Lever High Row

Preparation

✅ Sit on the machine and adjust the seat so that the handles are slightly above shoulder level.
✅ Keep your feet firmly planted on the floor or foot pads to stabilize your body throughout the movement.
✅ Keep your chest up and back straight, with your shoulders pulled down and back.
✅ Grip the handles with a neutral (palms facing each other) or pronated (palms facing down) grip.
✅ Before initiating the pull, slightly retract and depress your shoulder blades to establish a stable starting position.

Execution method

1️⃣ Inhale deeply, fully extending your arms and feeling a complete stretch in your lats.
2️⃣ Exhale and slowly pull the handles down and back, focusing on driving the movement with your elbows rather than your wrists.
3️⃣ At the bottom of the motion, when your shoulder blades come close together, pause for 1 second to achieve full contraction in your back.
4️⃣ With control, inhale as you return the handles to the starting position; don’t let the weight rise abruptly.
5️⃣ Perform the movement through a full range of motion with a steady tempo (2 seconds down – 3 seconds up).

Coaching tips and recommendations

✔ Keep your chest up throughout the movement and avoid rounding your back.
✔ Drive your elbows back and slightly downward rather than straight toward your body to place greater emphasis on the lats and mid-back.
✔ As you return to the starting position, don’t let your shoulders rise; they should remain down and back.
✔ Keep your wrists aligned with your forearms to prevent unnecessary joint stress.
✔ Avoid swinging or using momentum — the movement should be fully controlled without assistance from the torso.
✔ If desired, you can perform the exercise unilaterally (one arm at a time) to correct muscular imbalances.

Benefits of the exercise

1️⃣ Strengthens and increases the thickness of the mid and lower back muscles.
2️⃣ Engages the lats, trapezius, rear deltoids, and rhomboids fully.
3️⃣ Helps correct posture and improve shoulder girdle stability.
4️⃣ Enhances pulling strength for compound movements such as pull-ups and deadlifts.
5️⃣ Suitable for beginners due to the guided motion of the machine.
6️⃣ Reduces spinal stress compared to barbell or dumbbell rows.
7️⃣ Allows full focus on muscle contraction without worrying about body balance.
8️⃣ Compatible with both hypertrophy and strength training programs.
9️⃣ Shoulder-joint friendly thanks to controlled movement mechanics.
🔟 Improves symmetry, strength, and endurance of the back muscles for daily and athletic activities.

Muscles involved in the exercise

✅ In this movement, the arms are pulled from a high position downward and backward, making the latissimus dorsi the primary driver responsible for shoulder adduction and extension. Simultaneously, the scapular retractors — including the trapezius, rhomboids, teres major, and rear deltoids — assist in drawing the shoulder blades together and downward. The arm muscles contribute to force transmission, while the core muscles help maintain body stability.

Main muscles

Latissimus dorsi muscle

Synergistic muscles

Teres Major
Posterior Deltoid
Rhomboid Major and Minor
Middle and Lower Trapezius
Biceps Brachii
Brachialis
Brachioradialis

Stabilizers

Rotator Cuff Muscles
Serratus Anterior
Erector Spinae
Forearm Flexors

Dynamic Stabilizers

Engaged muscles

Latissimus Dorsi Muscle

The latissimus dorsi is one of the strongest and widest superficial muscles of the back, playing a vital role in pulling movements, back extension, and internal rotation of the arm. This muscle extends from the lower spine to the humerus and is responsible for generating pulling force in exercises such as pull-ups, push-ups, and rowing. Strengthening this muscle increases pulling strength, improves body shape, and reduces the risk of back and shoulder injuries.

Teres Major Muscle

🔹 The teres major is one of the muscles located at the back of the shoulder, positioned next to the latissimus dorsi and often considered its assisting muscle. It plays a key role in pulling and upper body strength movements such as pull-ups, rows, and deadlifts.

🔹 Unlike the teres minor, which is part of the rotator cuff, the teres major does not contribute to rotator cuff stabilization and is more involved in larger arm movements. Weakness in this muscle can lead to reduced pulling and lowering strength and increased strain on the rotator cuff muscles.

Rhomboid Major Muscle

The rhomboid major is one of the superficial muscles of the back, located between the spine and the scapula. Positioned alongside the rhomboid minor, it functions to retract the scapula toward the spine, stabilize the shoulder, and assist in scapular movements. Strengthening this muscle helps improve posture, prevent shoulder drooping, and reduce pain in the area between the shoulder blades.

Rhomboid Muscle

Posterior Deltoid Muscle

🔹 The posterior deltoid is one of the three parts of the deltoid muscle. Its primary functions are moving the arm backward, external rotation, and assisting in horizontal shoulder movements. Unlike the anterior and middle deltoids, it is less engaged in daily activities but is essential for shoulder muscle balance, strengthening the back, and preventing shoulder injuries.

🔹 The posterior deltoid is directly involved in pulling exercises and weightlifting movements. Weakness in this muscle can lead to shoulder drooping, reduced endurance of the upper back, and an increased risk of injury to the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint.

Posterior Deltoid

Muscle training

Pelank is a comprehensive encyclopedia of the body’s muscles, providing an accurate and scientific review of all muscles. Below, you can find muscle groups. By clicking on each muscle group, you will have access to complete information about it, including:

1️⃣ Basic information about the muscle
2️⃣ Muscle anatomy
3️⃣ Muscle physiology
4️⃣ Innervation and blood supply
5️⃣ Importance of the muscle in the body and sports
6️⃣ Strengthening exercises
7️⃣ Scientific and interesting facts

📌 At the end, a summary review of each muscle will be provided.

Body muscles training guide link

🔹 The muscle group engaged in this movement is highlighted in color.

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