The Best Cable Machine Exercises

Top Exercises

Cable Standing Up Straight Crossovers

Beginner / Cable Crossover Machine / Chest / isolation

A chest exercise targeting the sternal fibers. Standing straight increases the recruitment of the core and leg stabilizers for balance.

Cable Seated Supine-Grip Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A row variation using an underhand (supinated) grip. This targets the lower lats more effectively and increases the involvement of the biceps.

Cable Seated Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A staple for back development. It builds thickness in the middle back and strengthens the posture by engaging the rhomboids and trapezius.

Cable Overhead Triceps Extension

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Triceps / isolation

A triceps isolation movement that emphasizes the long head by placing it in a stretched position. The cable provides constant tension throughout.

Cable Lateral Pulldown

Beginner / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A versatile back movement for building the 'V-taper' by targeting the outer latissimus dorsi and teres major.

Cable Front Seated Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A back-building exercise that targets the mid-back and lats. The cable provides constant tension throughout the entire pulling and stretching phases.

Rope Seated Row

Beginner / Seated Cable Row Machine / Back / pull

A seated row variation using a rope attachment to allow for a greater range of motion and a more natural wrist position.

Behind the Neck Pulldown

Intermediate / Lat Pulldown Machine / Back / pull

A variation of the pulldown that focuses on the upper back, posterior deltoids, and rhomboids. It emphasizes scapular retraction and mid-back thickness.

Cable Standing Pulldown

Beginner / Cable Machine with Rope Attachment / Back / pull

A lat isolation exercise that builds back width and improves the mind-muscle connection. It emphasizes the lower lats through a controlled, sweeping vertical arc.

Cable Preacher Curl

Beginner / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Biceps / pull

An isolation exercise for the biceps that uses a preacher bench to eliminate momentum. The cable ensures resistance even at the top of the curl.

Cable One Arm Incline Fly on Exercise Ball

Intermediate / Hi-Lo Cable Machine / Chest / isolation

Targets the upper chest while challenging core balance. The incline position on the ball focuses tension on the clavicular head of the pecs.

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.