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Exercise guide

Standing Cable Lift

How to do the Standing Cable Lift with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundCableBeginnerPull
Primary muscles

Abs

Secondary

Shoulders

Equipment

Cable

Step by step

How to do the Standing Cable Lift

  1. 1

    Connect a standard handle on a tower, and move the cable to the lowest pulley position.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    With your feet positioned shoulder width apart, squat down and grab the handle with both hands. Your arms should still be fully extended.

  4. 4

    In one motion, pull the handle up and across your body until your arms are in a fully-extended position above your head.

  5. 5

    Keep your back straight and your arms close to your body as you pivot your back foot and straighten your legs to get a full range of motion.

  6. 6

    Retract your arms and then your body. Return to the neutral position in a slow and controlled manner.

  7. 7

    Repeat to failure.

  8. 8

    Then, reposition and repeat the same series of movements on the opposite side.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Standing Cable Lift set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your abs volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Standing Cable Lift fits

The Standing Cable Lift shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More abs exercises

FAQ

Standing Cable Lift: common questions

What muscles does the Standing Cable Lift work?

The Standing Cable Lift primarily works the Abs. It also recruits the Shoulders as supporting muscles.

Is the Standing Cable Lift suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Standing Cable Lift 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 Standing Cable Lift?

To do the Standing Cable Lift you'll need a cable machine.

Is the Standing Cable Lift a compound or isolation exercise?

The Standing Cable Lift 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 Standing Cable Lift with correct form?

Connect a standard handle on a tower, and move the cable to the lowest pulley position. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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