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Cable Rope Extension Incline Bench Row
A chest-supported row lying on an incline bench, pulling a rope from a low pulley through a long extended reach, isolating the mid-back with zero lower-back load.
BackCableHorizontal pull
GoLightWeight mediacable-rope-extension-incline-bench-row
Demonstration coming soon
Primary
RhomboidsLatissimus dorsi
Secondary
Rear deltoidsMiddle trapeziusBiceps
Equipment
Cable
Pattern
Horizontal pull
Setup
- 01Set an incline bench to about 30 to 45 degrees facing a low pulley with a rope attached.
- 02Lie chest-down on the bench with the head above the top edge.
- 03Reach forward and grip the rope ends with a neutral grip, arms fully extended.
- 04Position the bench so the cable is taut and pulling your arms into a long stretch.
Execution
- 01Pull the rope toward the base of the bench, driving the elbows up and back.
- 02Spread the rope ends slightly as the hands reach the torso.
- 03Squeeze the shoulder blades together while the chest stays glued to the pad.
- 04Extend fully forward, letting the shoulder blades protract at the bottom.
Checkpoints
- -The chest never leaves the pad, even on the last reps.
- -Full protraction at the stretch and full retraction at the top.
- -Elbows track at roughly 45 degrees from the torso.
- -The head stays neutral, not craned up.
Common mistakes
- -Pushing off the pad and turning it into a torso extension.
- -Cutting the forward reach short and losing the stretch.
- -Pulling with bent wrists and letting the rope collapse inward.
- -Bouncing the weight at the turnaround.
Programming notes
- -Use 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps as strict mid-back volume.
- -A smart choice when the lower back is fatigued from squats or deadlifts.
- -Pause briefly at both the stretch and the squeeze for the best return per rep.
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