Back to library

Exercise Library

Incline Cable Bench Row

A chest-supported cable row on an incline bench that isolates the mid-back with constant cable tension and no lower-back load.

BackCableHorizontal pull
GoLightWeight mediacable-incline-bench-row

Demonstration coming soon

Watch on YouTube

Primary

RhomboidsLatissimus dorsi

Secondary

Middle trapeziusRear deltoidsBiceps

Equipment

Cable

Pattern

Horizontal pull

Setup

  1. 01Set an incline bench to about 30 to 45 degrees facing a low cable pulley.
  2. 02Attach a straight bar or dual handles and lie chest-down on the bench.
  3. 03Grip the attachment with arms extended toward the pulley.
  4. 04Plant the feet and press the chest lightly into the pad.

Execution

  1. 01Pull the handle toward the base of the bench by driving the elbows up and back.
  2. 02Keep the chest glued to the pad through the entire pull.
  3. 03Squeeze the shoulder blades together at the top.
  4. 04Lower under control until the arms are straight and the shoulder blades stretch forward.

Checkpoints

  • -Chest maintains contact with the pad on every rep.
  • -Elbows travel back past the torso at the squeeze.
  • -Neck stays neutral rather than craning up.
  • -Cable tension is felt at the stretched bottom position.

Common mistakes

  • -Pushing off the pad to heave the weight up.
  • -Shrugging the shoulders instead of retracting the shoulder blades.
  • -Cutting the stretch short at the bottom.
  • -Setting the bench too upright and turning it into a high row.

Programming notes

  • -Use 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps as strict mid-back volume without spinal loading.
  • -Good substitute for bent-over rows during periods of lower-back fatigue.
  • -Constant cable tension makes slow eccentrics and pauses especially effective here.

Related exercises

Out now

Now on the App Store

Free to download, no account required to start. Android is on the way.

Download on theApp Store
Coming soonGoogle Play