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Exercise guide

Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows

How to do the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundCableBeginnerPull
Primary muscles

Shoulders

Secondary

Biceps, Mid Back

Equipment

Cable

Step by step

How to do the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows

  1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 6

    Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your shoulders volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows fits

The Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More shoulders exercises

FAQ

Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows: common questions

What muscles does the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows work?

The Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows primarily works the Shoulders. It also recruits the Biceps and Mid Back as supporting muscles.

Is the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows?

To do the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows you'll need a cable machine.

Is the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows a compound or isolation exercise?

The Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Cable Rope Rear-Delt Rows with correct form?

Sit in the same position on a low pulley row station as you would if you were doing seated cable rows for the back. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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