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Seated Cable Row

A staple back thickness builder. The seated position provides stability so you can focus entirely on contracting the back muscles through a full range of motion.

Medium
10-15
Reps
4
Sets
60s
Rest
Back
Primary

Target Muscles

BackBicepsForearms

Equipment

Cable

How To Perform

1

Sit at the cable row station with feet on the foot plates, knees slightly bent.

2

Grab the handle (V-bar or wide bar) with arms fully extended, leaning slightly forward.

3

Pull the handle toward your lower chest/upper abdomen by driving your elbows back.

4

Sit up tall, squeeze your shoulder blades together, and hold for a beat.

5

Slowly extend your arms forward, allowing a stretch in your lats.

6

Don't swing back and forth — use a controlled, strict motion.

7

Keep your chest up and shoulders down throughout the movement.

Pro Tips

  • Use a V-bar for close-grip rowing targeting the inner back
  • Use a wide bar for wider grip emphasising the outer lats
  • Don't lean too far forward or back — minimal torso movement
  • Squeeze and hold the contraction for a full second at peak

Why You Should Do This

Excellent for mid-back thickness and posture improvement
Seated position removes lower back fatigue as a limiting factor
Constant cable tension throughout the range of motion
Versatile — different attachments target different back areas
Builds the rhomboids and rear delts which are often underdeveloped

Pairs Well With

Build a complete programme by combining with:

Lat PulldownBarbell Bent-Over RowFace Pulls