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Exercise library · Upper & Mid Back

How to Do Seated Cable Rows

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the seated cable rows.

Seated Cable Rows animated demonstration from start to end position
Main musclesUpper & Mid Back
Also worksBiceps, Lats, Shoulders
EquipmentCable
LevelBeginner
TypeStrength

How to do it

  1. For this exercise you will need access to a low pulley row machine with a V-bar. Note: The V-bar will enable you to have a neutral grip where the palms of your hands face each other. To get into the starting position, first 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.
  2. Lean over as you keep the natural alignment of your back and grab the V-bar handles.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Form tips

Workouts with this exercise

Gym Back Workout for Beginners5 exercises · about 31 min · GymGym Full Body Workout for Intermediate6 exercises · about 47 min · GymGym Upper Body Workout for Beginners5 exercises · about 31 min · GymPull Day WorkoutFrom our videos

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Seated One-arm Cable Pulley Rows animated demonstration
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Gear for this exercise

Tube bands with handlesTube bands with handlesGym-like cable exercises at home.See it on Amazon →Door anchor for bandsDoor anchor for bandsTurns any door into a cable machine.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.

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