Cable High-Pulley Row
Strengthen your back with Cable High-Pulley Rows! A great exercise to build upper body strength.
The Cable High-Pulley Row is a compound exercise that mainly works the back, with help from the traps and shoulders. You'll need: exercise bench or cable machine or row handle.
Required Equipment



Cable High-Pulley Row Muscles Worked
Primary
Lats (latissimus dorsi); Rhomboids (Shoulder Blade) (rhomboids, major & minor)
Secondary
Mid Traps (trapezius, middle fibers); Rear Shoulder (Delts) (posterior deltoid)
Cable High-Pulley Row Variations and Alternatives
How to do the Cable High-Pulley Row
Set up a bench in front of a cable pulley machine and adjust the pulley to a high position.
Attach a row handle to the cable and select an appropriate weight.
Sit on the bench with your feet flat on the floor, knees bent, and your body leaning slightly forward.
Grasp the row handle with both hands using an overhand grip. Your arms should be fully extended and slightly higher than shoulder level.
Brace your core and keep your spine neutral as you begin the movement.
Pull the handle towards your upper abdomen, retracting your shoulder blades as you row.
Focus on using your back muscles to pull the weight while keeping your elbows high and aligned with your shoulders.
Slowly release the handle back to the starting position with controlled motion, allowing your arms to fully extend and feeling a stretch in your lats.
Repeat for the desired number of repetitions and sets, ensuring to maintain form throughout the exercise.
Note: Ensure the motion is controlled, and avoid using momentum to complete the rows. Adjust seat and pulley height as needed for your body size and to target the muscles effectively.
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Cable High-Pulley Row FAQs
What muscles does the Cable High-Pulley Row work?
The Cable High-Pulley Row mainly works the back, with help from the traps and shoulders. The main muscles are the latissimus dorsi and rhomboids.
What equipment do you need for the Cable High-Pulley Row?
Exercise bench or cable machine or row handle.
Is the Cable High-Pulley Row a compound exercise?
Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.
What workout day should the Cable High-Pulley Row go on?
It belongs on pull day in a push/pull/legs routine.
What are some Cable High-Pulley Row variations and alternatives?
Similar exercises include the Cable Rope-Handle High-Pulley Pull, Cable Lying Upright Row, Cable Seated Lat Focused Row and Cable Single-Arm High Row.
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