How to do a cable seated row

About cable seated row

TIER
1
DIFFICULTY
untrained
EQUIPMENT
rowCable
TARGET MUSCLES
back, biceps

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Seat Position: Sit on the bench facing the cable machine, feet placed on the footrests for stability. Adjust the seat height so the cable is slightly below chest level.
  2. Attachment & Grip: Select a suitable attachment (wide-grip bar, v-bar, or close grip handles) and grasp it with an overhand grip.
  3. Upright posture: Sit tall with a neutral spine, chest lifted, and shoulders back.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate the Pull: With your core engaged, begin pulling the cable towards your abdomen. Keep your elbows close to your body.
  2. Squeeze your shoulder blades: At the top of the movement, focus on squeezing your shoulder blades together for maximum back engagement.
  3. Controlled Extension: Slowly and smoothly extend your arms back to the starting position, maintaining tension in your back muscles.
  4. Reset: Breathe, reset your posture, and start the next repetition.

Tips:

  • Think of pulling your elbows back: Focus on this cue to engage your back muscles efficiently.
  • Variations: Experiment with different attachments and grip variations for slightly different muscle emphasis.

Alternatives

sliding floor pulldown on towel

BackBiceps
None

pull up

BackBiceps
Pull Up Bar

dumbbell bent over row

BackBiceps
Dumbbell

lat pulldown

BackBiceps
Lat Pulldown

superman row with towel

BackBiceps
None

cable seated row

BackBiceps
Row Cable

barbell underhand bent over row

BackBiceps
Barbell

dumbbell chest supported row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
BenchDumbbell

machine front pulldown

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Front Pulldown

cable seated high row(v-bar)

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Lat Pulldown

dumbbell one arm row(with support)

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Dumbbell

lat pulldown(wide bar)

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Lat Pulldown

barbell chest supported row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
BarbellBench

t-bar row(v-grip)

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
BarbellLandmine

chin up

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Pull Up Bar

cable wide grip behind neck pulldown

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Lat Pulldown

chin ups narrow parallel grip

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Pull Up Bar

cable seated row(rope)

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Row Cable

machine low row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Low Row Machine

lat pulldown behind the neck

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Lat Pulldown

barbell reverse grip supported row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
BarbellBench

cable one arm lat pulldown

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Lat Pulldown

t-bar row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
LandmineBarbell

machine lateral pulldown

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Pulldown Machine

ring high suspended row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Rings

lat pulldown reverse close grip

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Lat Pulldown

close grip chin up

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Pull Up Bar

cable seated one arm row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Row Cable

band seated row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Resistance Band

inverted row bend knees

BackRear ShoulderBiceps
Squat Rack

kettlebell bent over row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Kettlebell

barbell bent over row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Barbell

ring suspended row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Rings

machine high row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
High Row Machine

cable low seated row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Row Cable

machine seated row

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Seated Row Machine

chin up

BackBicepsRear Shoulder
Pull Up Bar