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.

Seated Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A fundamental back exercise for building mid-back thickness and improving posture by strengthening the rhomboids and trapezius.

Seated High Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A pulling movement focusing on the upper lats and posterior deltoids. The high-to-low angle helps build thickness in the upper back.

Cable Underhand Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

An underhand grip pulldown that increases bicep activation and targets the lower lats for better back thickness.

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 Side Crunch

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Abs / core

A core exercise targeting the internal and external obliques. The standing or kneeling cable setup provides a constant lateral load.

Cable Seated on Floor Row with Rope

Beginner / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Back / pull

A functional back exercise performed from the floor. The rope allows for a neutral grip and a deep pull into the lats and rhomboids.

Cable Reverse Grip Pushdown

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Triceps / push

A triceps exercise that shifts the focus to the medial head. The underhand grip promotes a unique contraction and reduces wrist strain for some users.

One Arm Lateral Raise

Intermediate / Cable Crossover Machine / Shoulders / isolation

A unilateral shoulder isolation move targeting the medial deltoid. Working one side at a time allows for maximum focus and prevents cheating with momentum.