Cable Wood Chopper
Strengthen your core with Cable Wood Chopper! This exercise targets your obliques for a more sculpted midsection.
The Cable Wood Chopper is a compound exercise that mainly works the core, with help from the back. You'll need: cable machine or single handle attachment.
Required Equipment
Cable Wood Chopper Muscles Worked
Primary
Obliques; Abdominals (rectus abdominis)
Secondary
Deep Core (transverse abdominis); Lats (latissimus dorsi)
Cable Wood Chopper Variations and Alternatives
How to do the Cable Wood Chopper
Attach a single handle to the cable machine and adjust the pulley to shoulder height.
Stand side-on to the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart, ensuring you are a suitable distance away to feel tension on the cable.
Grasp the handle with both hands, and extend your arms straight out in front of you at shoulder height.
Bracing your core, begin to twist your torso away from the machine, keeping your arms straight and pivoting on your back foot.
Rotate your torso as far as comfortably possible, focusing on the contraction in your obliques and abdominal muscles.
Hold the twist for a brief moment, then slowly reverse the motion, returning to the starting position facing the cable machine.
Complete the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides to ensure an equal workout for both sides of your obliques.
Be sure to keep your movements smooth and controlled, and adjust the weight to a level that allows you to perform the exercise with proper form and without any jerky motions.
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Cable Wood Chopper FAQs
What muscles does the Cable Wood Chopper work?
The Cable Wood Chopper mainly works the core, with help from the back. The main muscles are the obliques and rectus abdominis.
What equipment do you need for the Cable Wood Chopper?
Cable machine or single handle attachment.
Is the Cable Wood Chopper a compound exercise?
Yes. It's a compound movement, meaning it trains several muscle groups at once rather than isolating one.
What are some Cable Wood Chopper variations and alternatives?
Similar exercises include the Loop-Band Standing Ab Twist, Cable High-Low Woodchopper, Cable Oblique Twist and Cable Reverse Woodchop.
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