Upper back exercises

Cable Seated Row

Also known as: Tirage horizontal à la poulie · Καθιστή κωπηλατική στην τροχαλία · cable row · seated row · low row

Primary
Upper back
Equipment
Cable
Level
Beginner
Type
Compound
Suggested rest
1.5 min

How to do the Cable Seated Row

  1. Sit with your feet on the footrests and knees slightly bent, holding the handle.

  2. Keep your back straight and chest up, arms extended in front of you.

  3. Pull the handle to your stomach, driving your elbows back and squeezing your shoulder blades.

  4. Let the handle return under control without rocking your torso forward.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth3–48–121.5 min
Muscular endurance2–315–201 min

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 2.5 kg (5 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Upper back

Secondary

Lats, Biceps

Rhomboids, mid traps and rear delts hold your shoulder blades in place. Rows, face pulls and reverse flyes build thickness and healthier shoulders.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Cable Seated Row doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

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Cable upper back exercises