Exercise Library / Shoulders

Cable Upright Rows

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

Muscle group
Shoulders
Primary muscles
Traps
Secondary muscles
Shoulders
Equipment
Machine
Type
Compound
Level
Intermediate

Video: “How To Fix The Upright Row: Avoid Shoulder Pain & Maximize Growth” by Jeff Nippard on YouTube.

How to do the Cable Upright Rows

  1. Grasp a straight bar cable attachment that is attached to a low pulley with a pronated (palms facing your thighs) grip that is slightly less than shoulder width. The bar should be resting on top of your thighs. Your arms should be extended with a slight bend at the elbows and your back should be straight. This will be your starting position.
  2. Use your side shoulders to lift the cable bar as you exhale. The bar should be close to the body as you move it up. Continue to lift it until it nearly touches your chin. Tip: Your elbows should drive the motion. As you lift the bar, your elbows should always be higher than your forearms. Also, keep your torso stationary and pause for a second at the top of the movement.
  3. Lower the bar back down slowly to the starting position. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
  4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Muscles worked

The Cable Upright Rows mainly works your traps, with help from your shoulders.

Cable Upright Rows start and finish positions

Cable Upright Rows: Starting position
Starting position
Cable Upright Rows: Ending position
Ending position

Track your Cable Upright Rows progress

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