Target Muscle

    Upper Back

    Equipment

    Cable

    Difficulty

    Beginner

    Category

    Strength

    Cable Seated Row

    The cable seated row is a strength exercise that targets the upper back, with secondary emphasis on the bicep and forearms. It is performed using a cable row machine and involves pulling handles towards the torso while maintaining a straight back and squeezing the shoulder blades together.

    Also Works

    BicepsForearms

    How to Perform

    1. 1

      Sit on the cable row machine with your feet flat on the footrests and your knees slightly bent.

    2. 2

      Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, keeping your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.

    3. 3

      Pull the handles towards your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.

    4. 4

      Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, then slowly release the handles back to the starting position.

    5. 5

      Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Pro Tips

    • Pull the handle to your lower sternum while driving your elbows past your torso to fully contract the back muscles.
    • Sit tall with a slight forward lean at the start, then pull your torso to upright as you row to engage the full back.
    • Squeeze your shoulder blades together at the peak contraction for a one-second hold.

    Common Mistakes

    • Leaning too far back at the top of the row, turning it into a lower back exercise instead of a back row.
    • Pulling primarily with the biceps by not initiating the movement with the shoulder blades.
    • Using momentum by rocking the torso back and forth instead of controlling each rep.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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