Seated cable row

Seated cable row trains Upper back through horizontal pull; Lats; biceps; rear delts contributes to the repetition. Coaches select it for a defined reason: Train scapular retraction with smooth resistance. Compared with nearby options, it provides easy grip and torso-angle variations.
Back
Compound

At a glance

Difficulty
Easy
Exercise Type
Hypertrophy
Muscle Group
Upper Back
Equipment
Cable
Force Type
Pull
connection_pattern [#1105] Created with Sketch. Mechanics
Compound

Why this exercise matters

Seated cable row matters because it has a clearly defined training role: Train scapular retraction with smooth resistance. Its structure keeps the exercise choice specific to the intended adaptation.
  • Primary stimulus — Upper back leads the movement; Lats; biceps; rear delts contributes.
  • Programming role — Train scapular retraction with smooth resistance.
  • Why this version — Easy grip and torso-angle variations.

How to perform

Use 2–4 × 8–15 reps as a working template and allow about 2min between sets. The aim is repeatable tension, not simply moving the heaviest load.
  1. Equipment setup — Prepare Cable machine and choose a load that preserves the intended horizontal pull.
  2. Starting position — Brace against the support or footplates and begin with long arms and a quiet torso.
  3. Repetition path — Draw the elbows back and bring the shoulder blades together, then release slowly.
  4. Exercise-specific cue — Keep torso quiet; finish without shrugging.
  5. Set endpoint — End the set when the target muscles can no longer control the same path and tempo.

What to avoid

The main safeguard is exercise-specific: Keep torso quiet; finish without shrugging. Load and range should preserve the defining horizontal pull pattern.
  • Setup risk — Confirm that Cable machine is stable and correctly adjusted before loading.
  • Technique limit — Do not chase repetitions once the intended path changes or another body segment takes over.
  • Joint response — Reduce load or range for sharp, increasing, or joint-specific pain.
  • Progression — Add resistance only after the listed cue can be maintained across the whole set.

Target Muscle