Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows — start position
Start
Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows — end position
End

Shoulders / Beginner / Compound (multi-joint)

Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows

A cable exercise for the rear delts, with the biceps, upper back and forearms assisting.

At a glance

Primary
Rear delts
Secondary
Biceps, Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps), Forearms & grip
Equipment
Cable station
Movement pattern
Row, Shoulder-blade squeeze
Level
Beginner
Type
Shoulders, Compound (multi-joint)

How to do it

  1. Sit in the same position on a low pulley row station as you would if you were doing seated cable rows for the back.
  2. Attach a rope to the pulley and grasp it with an overhand grip. Your arms should be extended and parallel to the floor with the elbows flared out.
  3. Keep your lower back upright and slide your hips back so that your knees are slightly bent. This will be your starting position.
  4. Pull the cable attachment towards your upper chest, just below the neck, as you keep your elbows up and out to the sides. Continue this motion as you exhale until the elbows travel slightly behind the back. Tip: Keep your upper arms horizontal, perpendicular to the torso and parallel to the floor throughout the motion.
  5. Go back to the initial position where the arms are extended and the shoulders are stretched forward. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
  6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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Muscles worked

Neck (Front)Upper traps (Front)Front delts (Front)Side delts (Front)Chest (Front)Serratus anterior (Front)Biceps — secondary (Front)Forearms & grip — secondary (Front)Abs (Front)Obliques (Front)Hip flexors (Front)Quads (Front)Adductors (Front)Shins (tibialis) (Front)Calves (Front)Outer shins (peroneals) (Front)Feet (arch & toes) (Front)Neck (Back)Upper traps (Back)Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps) — secondary (Back)Rear delts — primary (Back)Side delts (Back)Rotator cuff (Back)Lats (Back)Lower back (erectors) (Back)Triceps (Back)Forearms & grip — secondary (Back)Hip abductors (glute med) (Back)Glutes (Back)Hamstrings (Back)Adductors (Back)Calves (Back)
FrontBack
  • Primary: Rear delts
  • Secondary: Biceps, Upper back (rhomboids, mid/lower traps), Forearms & grip

Best for

How specific this exercise is to each movement.

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Photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (github.com/yuhonas/free-exercise-db), public domain.