The Best Cable Machine Exercises

Top Exercises

Cable Seated Crunch

Beginner / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Abs / core

A machine-based abdominal exercise that allows for heavy resistance and precise control over the rectus abdominis.

Cable Close-Grip Front Lat Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A pulldown variation that emphasizes the middle and lower lats. The close grip allows for a deeper stretch and a neutral wrist position.

Triceps Pushdown

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Triceps / push

A primary isolation exercise for the triceps. It focuses on the lateral and medial heads to build strength and definition in the back of the arm.

Cable Wrist Curl

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Forearms / pull

An isolation exercise for the forearm flexors. The cable provides constant tension throughout the entire range of motion, unlike traditional dumbbells.

Cable Pushdown

Beginner / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Triceps / push

A staple triceps exercise targeting the lateral head. The cable ensures resistance is maintained throughout the entire range of motion.

Standing Fly

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Chest / isolation

A chest isolation exercise performed in a standing position, usually with cables or bands. it targets the pectorals while challenging core stability.

Low Fly

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Chest / isolation

Targets the lower chest fibers. This isolation movement uses a low-to-high arc to build definition in the sternal head of the pectorals.

Kneeling Triceps Extension

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Triceps / isolation

An isolation exercise for the triceps that reduces the ability to use leg drive or momentum, resulting in higher muscle activation.

Cable Seated Twist on Floor

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Back / core

A rotational core exercise targeting the obliques. Sitting on the floor increases the demand on the core stabilizers to maintain posture.

Cable One Arm Lat Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A unilateral pull that allows for maximum lat isolation and a greater range of motion at the bottom of the rep.

Cable Kneeling Crunch

Intermediate / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Abs / core

A high-tension abdominal exercise. Kneeling allows for a greater range of motion and the ability to add significant resistance to the rectus abdominis.