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Cable Rope Crossover Seated Row
A seated row pulling two crossed cables from opposite low pulleys, giving each arm an independent diagonal line that widens the stretch and squeeze on the mid-back.
BackCableHorizontal pull
GoLightWeight mediacable-rope-crossover-seated-row
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
RhomboidsLatissimus dorsi
Secondary
Rear deltoidsBicepsMiddle trapezius
Equipment
Cable
Pattern
Horizontal pull
Setup
- 01Sit on the floor or a bench centered between two low pulleys with single handles attached.
- 02Grab the left handle with the right hand and the right handle with the left so the cables cross in front of you.
- 03Extend both arms and let the crossed cables pull you into a long stretch.
- 04Sit tall with knees slightly bent and trunk braced.
Execution
- 01Pull both handles back and out toward the sides of the torso.
- 02Let the cables uncross their tension line as the elbows drive behind you.
- 03Squeeze both shoulder blades together at the finish.
- 04Return under control to the crossed, protracted stretch.
Checkpoints
- -Both arms pull symmetrically along their own diagonal.
- -The torso stays upright; no rocking to finish reps.
- -Shoulder blades fully protract at the stretch and fully retract at the finish.
- -Handles finish beside the ribs, not up at the shoulders.
Common mistakes
- -Leaning back to move the stacks instead of pulling with the back.
- -Letting one arm lead and the other lag.
- -Shrugging into the neck during the squeeze.
- -Losing the crossover stretch by sitting too close to the pulleys.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps as a mid-back accessory.
- -Loads run lighter than a standard seated row because each stack is loaded independently.
- -Pause 1 second at peak retraction to reinforce scapular control.
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