The Best Cable Machine Exercises

Top Exercises

Cable Hanging Leg Raise

Intermediate / Cable Crossover Machine / Abs / core

An advanced core exercise. Attaching cables to the feet adds resistance to the hip flexors and lower abdominals during the hanging lift.

Twin Handle Parallel Grip Lat Pulldown

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Back / pull

A back exercise using two separate handles to allow for a neutral grip. This variation is shoulder-friendly and builds significant mid-back thickness.

Straight Back Seated Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A strict form row that emphasizes isolation of the lats and rhomboids by eliminating torso movement and momentum.

Lat Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A foundational vertical pulling movement for back development. It targets the latissimus dorsi, building both strength and width in the upper body.

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 Standing Lat Pushdown

Beginner / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Back / push

An isolation exercise for the latissimus dorsi. It builds back width and improves the mind-muscle connection for pulling movements.

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 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 Parallel Grip Lat Pulldown on Floor

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Back / pull

A pulling movement performed from the floor to target the lats and rhomboids. The parallel grip is shoulder-friendly and builds mid-back thickness.

Cable Lying Triceps Extension

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Triceps / isolation

A focused triceps exercise that provides constant resistance. Lying down prevents the use of momentum and isolates the long head of the triceps.

Cable Low Seated Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A variation of the seated row that emphasizes the lower lats and mid-back. The lower pull angle encourages a deeper contraction in the lower portion of the back.