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Exercise Guide

How to do cable seated rear lateral raise

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

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.

Stats

TIER
1
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Cable
TARGET MUSCLES
Rear Shoulder, Lateral Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Seated position: Sit sideways on a bench in front of a low cable pulley machine. Adjust the seat height so the cable is slightly below shoulder height.
  2. Opposite hand grip: Grasp the single handle attachment with the hand farthest from the machine (overhand grip, palm facing in). Place your free hand on the bench for additional stability.
  3. Slight lean forward: Hinge slightly forward at the hips, maintaining a straight back. Create slight tension in the cable by taking a small step forward with your inside foot (closest to the machine).

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the lift: Engage your rear delts and pull the handle directly sideways and slightly up until your arm is nearly parallel to the floor. Keep your elbow slightly bent.
  2. Focus on the rear delts: Concentrate on squeezing your shoulder blades together at the peak of the movement.
  3. Controlled Return: Slowly return the handle to the starting position, resisting the weight's pull and maintaining tension in your shoulders.
  4. Repeat: Perform the desired number of repetitions, then switch arms.

Tips:

  • Minimize torso movement: Isolate the rear delts by minimizing torso swaying and rotation.
  • Think "elbows back": Concentrate on pulling with your elbows to engage the back of the shoulders effectively.
  • Breathe: Exhale as you pull, inhale as you release.

Common mistakes: Using too much weight leading to torso swinging, and pulling with the traps rather than the rear deltoids.

Alternatives

Seated Fly Machine

machine seated reverse fly(parallel grip)

Rear Shoulder
Cable

cable rear delt row

Rear Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable crossover reverse fly

Rear Shoulder
Seated Fly Machine

machine seated reverse fly

Rear Shoulder
Cable

cable seated rear lateral raise

Rear ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline rear lateral raise

Rear ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Cable

cable standing rear delt row

Rear Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell rear delt row

Rear Shoulder
Resistance Band

resistance band kneeling face pull

Rear Shoulder
Dumbbell

dumbbell rear delt raise

Rear ShoulderTraps
Squat Rack

band standing rear delt row

Rear Shoulder