Exercise Library / Back

Cable Row

How to do the Cable Row with proper form, and the muscles it works.

Muscle group
Back
Primary muscles
Lats
Secondary muscles
Middle back and traps
Equipment
Cable
Type
Compound
Level
Intermediate

Video: “Seated Cable Row – Full Video Tutorial & Exercise Guide” by Fit Father Project - Fitness For Busy Fathers on YouTube.

How to do the Cable Row

  1. Get a platform of some sort (it can be an aerobics or calf raise platform) that is around 4-6 inches in height.
  2. Place it on the seat of the cable row machine.
  3. Sit down on the machine and place your feet on the front platform or crossbar provided making sure that your knees are slightly bent and not locked.
  4. Lean over as you keep the natural alignment of your back and grab the V-bar handles.
  5. With your arms extended pull back until your torso is at a 90-degree angle from your legs. Your back should be slightly arched and your chest should be sticking out. You should be feeling a nice stretch on your lats as you hold the bar in front of you. This is the starting position of the exercise.
  6. Keeping the torso stationary, pull the handles back towards your torso while keeping the arms close to it until you touch the abdominals. Breathe out as you perform that movement. At that point you should be squeezing your back muscles hard. Hold that contraction for a second and slowly go back to the original position while breathing in.
  7. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

The Cable Row mainly works your lats, with help from your middle back and traps.

Cable Row start and finish positions

Cable Row: Starting position
Starting position
Cable Row: Ending position
Ending position

Track your Cable Row progress

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