Seated Cable Row

A horizontal pull with constant cable tension through the whole range, including the stretch. Reliable for sets of 10-12 and easy to load progressively week to week.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Cable
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Lats · Rhomboids
ALSO WORKS
Biceps · Posterior Deltoid · Lower back
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Sit with the feet on the platform and a soft bend in the knees.
  2. 02Take the handle and sit tall with the arms straight and the chest up.
  3. 03Brace the trunk so the torso stays upright throughout.
  4. 04Pull the handle to the lower ribs, driving the elbows straight back.
  5. 05Return under control, letting the shoulder blades travel forward at the end.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Sit tall, do not row with the torso.
  2. 02Elbows brush the ribs.
  3. 03Let the shoulders reach at the front.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Rocking back and forth to move the stack — the erectors and hips do the work instead of the back.
  2. 02Rounding forward at the stretch — the lumbar spine flexes under tension every single rep.
  3. 03Stopping short at the front — losing the stretch costs you the most productive part of the range.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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