Exercise Guide
How to do a cable rear delt row
Master setup, range of motion, and tempo with step-by-step instructions so every rep is more effective and safer.
About cable rear delt row
The cable rear delt row is a specialized movement targeting the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. By using a cable machine, you maintain constant tension throughout the entire range of motion, which is difficult to achieve with free weights. This exercise is crucial for developing well-rounded shoulders, improving posture, and counteracting the forward-leaning tendencies often caused by heavy chest and front-side training.
Stats
Instructions for Proper Form
Setup:
- Cable Machine & Attachment: Position the pulley on a low to mid setting (around chest height). Attach a rope handle, V-bar, or straight bar.
- Stance & Grip: Stand facing the machine, feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent. Grasp the attachment with an overhand grip (palms facing down) about shoulder-width or slightly wider.
- Body Position: Hinge forward slightly from your hips, keeping your back flat and core engaged. Your arms should be extended in front of you, creating tension in the cable.
The Lift:
- Pull Toward You: Exhale and pull the handle towards your torso, leading with your elbows. Keep your elbows high and pointed outward.
- Squeeze Shoulder Blades: Focus on contracting your rear deltoids and upper back muscles. Briefly hold the contraction.
- Controlled Release: Inhale and slowly return your arms to the starting position, resisting the cable's pull. Avoid letting your shoulders round forward.
Tips:
- Elbow Position: Keep your elbows high and wide as you pull for maximum rear delt activation.
- Focus on the Back: Concentrate on pulling with your back muscles, not just your arms.
- Variations: Experiment with different attachments and grips for variety. A rope attachment allows for greater external rotation of the shoulders, which can increase rear delt activation.
Common mistakes: Pulling the weight with the biceps rather than the rear deltoids, shrugging the shoulders upward, and pulling the cable too low toward the waist.
Alternatives
machine seated reverse fly(parallel grip)
The machine seated reverse fly with a parallel grip is an isolation exercise specifically designed to target the posterior deltoids and rhomboids. By sitting facing the machine and pulling the handles outward, you strengthen the muscles responsible for pulling the shoulders back. This exercise is vital for improving posture, shoulder health, and developing the rear portion of the shoulder complex for balance.
cable rear delt row
The cable rear delt row is a specialized movement targeting the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. By using a cable machine, you maintain constant tension throughout the entire range of motion, which is difficult to achieve with free weights. This exercise is crucial for developing well rounded shoulders, improving posture, and counteracting the forward leaning tendencies often caused by heavy chest and front side training.
cable crossover reverse fly
This isolation movement targets the posterior deltoids and the muscles of the upper back. Using cables ensures that there is tension on the muscles even at the start of the movement. By pulling the handles across the body in a wide arc, you improve shoulder health, posture, and the overall definition of the rear shoulders, balancing out chest heavy training routines effectively.
machine seated reverse fly
The machine seated reverse fly is an effective way to isolate the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles like the rhomboids. The fixed path of the machine helps eliminate momentum, ensuring that the rear delts perform the majority of the work. This exercise is crucial for maintaining shoulder health and achieving a balanced look, especially for those who perform a lot of chest pressing movements.
cable seated rear lateral raise
The cable seated rear lateral raise is a precise isolation exercise designed to target the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. Using cables ensures that the muscles remain under constant tension during both the lifting and lowering phases. This movement is essential for improving shoulder health, posture, and creating a rounded, three dimensional look to the shoulders that free weights sometimes fail to provide.
dumbbell incline rear lateral raise
The dumbbell incline rear lateral raise is a specialized isolation movement designed to target the posterior deltoids. By lying chest down on an incline bench, you stabilize your torso and prevent cheating, ensuring the rear shoulders do the majority of the work. This exercise is vital for developing a balanced shoulder physique and improving overall shoulder health and stability.
cable standing rear delt row
The cable standing rear delt row is an excellent isolation exercise for the posterior deltoids and the muscles of the upper back. By pulling the cable toward your face or upper chest, you emphasize the rear shoulders, which are often neglected in standard routines. This exercise is crucial for maintaining shoulder health, improving posture, and developing a thick, well proportioned upper back and shoulder area.
dumbbell rear delt row
The dumbbell rear delt row targets the posterior deltoids and the upper back muscles like the rhomboids and traps. By rowing dumbbells with an emphasis on pulling the elbows back and out, you specifically engage the often neglected rear shoulders. It is essential for maintaining shoulder health, improving posture, and achieving a well rounded, muscular look from both the back and side views.
resistance band kneeling face pull
The resistance band kneeling face pull is a highly effective exercise for shoulder health and upper back development. By kneeling and pulling the band toward your face while flaring your elbows, you target the rear deltoids, rhomboids, and external rotators. This movement is crucial for counteracting the effects of rounded shoulders and improving overall posture and shoulder stability in a controlled manner.
dumbbell rear delt raise
This exercise focuses on the often neglected posterior deltoid muscle located on the back of the shoulder. By leaning forward and raising dumbbells out to the sides, you improve shoulder symmetry and posture. Strong rear delts are crucial for stabilizing the shoulder joint during heavy pressing movements and for creating a complete, rounded look to the upper body and shoulders.
band standing rear delt row
The band standing rear delt row is an excellent accessory exercise for targeting the posterior deltoids and upper back muscles. Using a resistance band allows for peak contraction at the end of the movement, which is crucial for improving posture and shoulder health. It is particularly effective for balancing the anterior dominance often found in many lifting routines, enhancing overall shoulder symmetry.