LiftSets / Exercises / Seated Cable Rows
Seated Cable Rows
Works the middle back. Helped by the biceps, lats and shoulders.


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
| Goal | Reps per set |
|---|---|
| Strength | 3-6 |
| Muscle size | 6-10 |
| Endurance | 12-20+ |
Whatever the number, the set should end within a rep or two of the point where you could not do another with good form.
| Kit | Cable |
|---|---|
| Level | Beginner |
What to think about
- Sit tall, knees slightly bent.
- Pull the handle to the lower ribs, elbows past the body.
- Reach forward for a stretch without rounding the lower back.
How to do it
- 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.
- Lean over as you keep the natural alignment of your back and grab the V-bar handles.
- 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.
- 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.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Other exercises for the middle back
- Alternating Kettlebell Row
- Bent Over Barbell Row
- Bent Over One-Arm Long Bar Row
- Bent Over Two-Arm Long Bar Row
- Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row
- Bent Over Two-Dumbbell Row with Palms In
- Dumbbell Incline Row
- Gorilla Row
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