Exciting Cable Machine Exercises

Sharing some exciting exercises you can do with the cable machine.

Hi friends! How’s the day going? So happy you liked the chicken salad recipe!

So for today, let’s talk about this thing.

A long time ago, I wrote this post about the fairly intimidating cable machine. It kind of looks like a torture device. I also shared some of my favorite cable machine exercises.

I’ve found that it’s so easy to get into a gym routine and use the same tools for the same things. In order for me to really switch things up, I have to make a conscious effort. Today, per reader India’s request (thank you, India!) I thought I’d share some of the more unique uses for the cable machine.

Exciting Cable Machine Exercises

What Is A Cable Machine?

First of all, let’s go over the cable machine and what it is. It’s a piece of equipment (pic above) that you’ll see in almost every gym. The great thing about the cable machine is that it has adjustable pulleys so that you can target your entire body and do a variety of exercises. Pretty much any *traditional* strength training exercise can be done using the cable machine.

Are Cable Machines Effective

YES! You can adjust the resistance to make the exercise more challenging. With cable machines, you’re able to smoothly work through the fun range of motion for an exercise. I find that using this type of resistance encourages you to use your core to help stabilize. Make sure that you breathe as you brace your core and work through cable machine movements.

How To Use a Cable Machine

You’ll need to adjust the cable position, depending on the type of movement you plan to do. Overhead movements, like overhead triceps extensions and lat pulldowns, require the pulleys to be higher. Chest presses and flies require a mid-point setup. Deadlifts, biceps curls, and upright seated cable rows require a low setup.

Something to keep in mind: when you pull the prong out of the pulley system to slide it up or down, you’ll notice that the stack of weights for resistance will also move. An easy way to prevent this is to put your hand ON TOP of the stack of weights before adjusting the cable pulley. Keep your fingers away from the stack of weights. If it drops down, it can pinch your finger(s). If you need help with pulley setup, ask a trainer at your gym or studio and they will show you how to use it safely.

Here are some favorite exercises! I tried to choose exciting ones outside of the usual biceps curls, cable crossover,

Compound:

Squat and row

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Make sure to keep your weight in your heels and your chest lifted. Squeeze your shoulder blades as you exhale to rise, and row, bringing your arms in towards your torso.

Single arm cable chest press:

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This one works your chest muscles. Set a cable-station handle at shoulder height. Stand facing away from the weight stack and grab the handle with your right hand, palm facing down, elbow bent; extend your left arm in front of you. Step your right foot back into a split stance, knees bent (a). Brace your abs and forcefully drive the handle forward, while bringing your left elbow back (b). Do all reps, then switch sides and repeat.

Tips: Watch your front knee to make sure it doesn’t extend past your front toes and keep your chest lifted. You’ll really have to engage your core to keep the resistance from pulling you. Really work to keep your shoulders and hips in one straight line, parallel to the machine.

Upper body:

Bent over lat pull

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Set the pulley at shoulder height, or slightly above. Hold both handles with an overhead grip, and back away until your arms are straight. With your feet hip-width apart and knees slightly bent, lower your torso toward the floor and extend your arms past your head (a). Pull the handles toward you, bending your elbows out to the sides until your hands are next to your shoulders (b). Return to starting position. That’s one rep.

Make sure to keep your core pulled in, and exhale as you bend your arms.

Bent-over triceps kickback

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Use a dual cable station and hold the end of a cable in each hand. Stand back to put tension on the cables and bend your hips back until your torso is parallel to the floor. Keep your lower back flat and your chest up. Extend your elbows to drive the cables straight back behind you. Take three seconds to lower the weight and hold the bottom position for two seconds. Explosively extend your elbows on each rep.

Make sure to do this with control, especially as you lower the weights down. As you press the weights up and back, really think about squeezing your triceps to extend your arms as much as possible.

Cable front raises

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Set the cable at its lowest point and face away from the pulley. Grab the hand (straight bar or V-tope work well) and bring your torso upright so you are standing with good posture. Exhale to bring the handle up to shoulder height (lower than the photo above) and a slight bend at the elbows. Lower down with control before repeating.

Woodchops

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From Bodybuilding.com:

Connect a standard handle to a tower, and move the cable to the highest pulley position. With your side to the cable, grab the handle with one hand and step away from the tower. You should be approximately arm’s length away from the pulley, with the tension of the weight on the cable. Your outstretched arm should be aligned with the cable.

With your feet positioned shoulder width apart, reach upward with your other hand and grab the handle with both hands. Your arms should still be fully extended. In one motion, pull the handle down and across your body to your front knee while rotating your torso. Keep your back and arms straight and core tight while you pivot your back foot and bend your knees to get a full range of motion.

Maintain your stance and straight arms. Return to the neutral position in a slow and controlled manner. Repeat to failure. Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.

Tip: You will twist your entire body with this exercise, but really focus on getting maximal torso rotation and a strong clinch at the end of the movement. To ensure a good mind-muscle connection, keep your abs tense at all times.

Anti-rotation

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For this exercise, you’re engaging your core to prevent movement through the torso. Come onto hands and knees with the pulley at chest height. Kneel to the side of the machine and grab the handle with both hands. Bring your torso upright and hold the handle at your chest. Exhale to press it straight in front of your chest, and inhale to bring it back to center. Complete your reps before switching to the opposite side.

Reverse crunch

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For this exercise, you’ll have the pulley at its lowest position. Wrap the strap around your ankles. Exhale to bring your knees in towards your chest, gently lifting your hips off the floor. Lower down to repeat. Remember that we do not need to lift heavy with our abdominal muscles. Go for LIGHT resistance.

Single arm cable toe touch:

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Lie back with your left arm extended behind you holding a cable handle. Keep your right leg extended and elevated a few inches off of the floor and your left knee bent 90 degrees.
Lift your right leg and simultaneously crunch the cable up until your left hand touches your right shin.
Return your left arm and right leg to approximately six inches off of the floor. Repeat for two sets of 20 reps on each side.

Lower body:

Standing abduction

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The photo for this one is pretty straightforward. Make sure to lower the weight with control and keep your hips facing forward at all times. Avoid holding onto the machine for dear life; it’s just there for balance.

Cable deadlift

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Attach a rope handle to the low pulley of a cable machine. Grab an end of the rope attachment in each hand and stand with your back to the weight stack. Bend at your hips and knees and lower your torso until it’s at about a 45-degree angle to the floor (A). Thrust your hips forward and raise your torso back to the starting position (B).  That’s one rep.

Kneeling cable kickback

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For this one, the pulley will be at its lowest point. Keep both hips parallel to the floor, and really squeeze your glutes as you exhale to lift your leg. Lower down slowly with control.

How often do you use the cable machine in your training? Any favorite exercises? Or exercises you love to hate? 😉

Have a wonderful morning and I’ll see ya soon!

xoxo

Gina

More Focus On faves:

Tabata training

Step aerobics

Stability balls

Resistance bands

Don’t forget to check in with your Summer Shape-Up workouts! <3

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