LiftSets

LiftSets / Exercises / Seated Cable Rows

Seated Cable Rows

Works the middle back. Helped by the biceps, lats and shoulders.

Seated Cable Rows, start position, with the working muscles highlighted
Start
Seated Cable Rows, finish position, with the working muscles highlighted
Finish

Bright blue is the target muscle. Darker blue is helping. The app shows this as a moving demo.

Muscles worked

middle backbicepslatsshoulders

How many reps

GoalReps per set
Strength3-6
Muscle size6-10
Endurance12-20+

Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.

KitCable
LevelBeginner

What to think about

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.

Other exercises for the middle back

Track it in LiftSets

Log Seated Cable Rows with last time's numbers in front of you, a rest timer on your lock screen and a graph of your progress.

Coming soon to the App Store