Skip to main content

Cable Exercises: 114+ Constant-Tension Movements

Cable machines provide what free weights cannot: constant tension throughout the entire range of motion. This makes them ideal for muscle isolation and time under tension training. The adjustable pulley positions let you hit muscles from angles impossible with dumbbells or barbells. Cable work excels for hypertrophy, rehabilitation, and adding volume without the joint stress of heavy free weights. Master cables and you unlock a new dimension of muscle-building.

Best Cable Exercises

Who Needs Cable Equipment

  • 1

    Bodybuilders and physique athletes focused on muscle isolation and pump.

  • 2

    Lifters rehabbing injuries who need controlled, joint-friendly resistance.

  • 3

    Anyone looking to add volume without the recovery cost of heavy compound lifts.

Cable Machine Circuit

A simple cable-only routine for beginners. Perform 2-3 times per week with at least one rest day between sessions.

All Cable Exercises (114)

Cable Fly

ChestBeginner

Cable

Incline Cable Fly

ChestBeginner

Cable

Cable Crossover

ChestBeginner

Cable

Low-to-High Cable Fly

ChestBeginner

Cable

High-to-Low Cable Fly

ChestBeginner

Cable

Cable Pullover

ChestBeginner

Cable

One-Arm Cable Crossover

ChestIntermediate

Cable

Standing Cable Press

ChestIntermediate

Cable

Incline Cable Press

ChestIntermediate

Cable

Decline Cable Fly

ChestIntermediate

Cable

Lying Cable Fly

ChestIntermediate

Cable

Incline Cable Crossover

ChestIntermediate

Cable

Lat Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Seated Cable Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Close-Grip Lat Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Straight-Arm Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Single-Arm Cable Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Reverse-Grip Lat Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Single-Arm Lat Pulldown

BackIntermediate

Cable

Wide-Grip Cable Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Cable Shrug

BackBeginner

Cable

Face Pull with External Rotation

BackBeginner

Cable

Bent-Arm Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Kneeling Cable Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Eccentric Row

BackIntermediate

Cable

Iso-Hold Row

BackIntermediate

Cable

1.5 Rep Row

BackIntermediate

Cable

Underhand Lat Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Standing Cable Pullover

BackBeginner

Cable

Cable Deadlift

BackBeginner

Cable

V-Bar Lat Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Wide-Grip Seated Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Cable High Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Dual Cable Pulldown

BackIntermediate

Cable

Low Cable Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown

BackBeginner

Cable

Reverse Cable Fly

BackBeginner

Cable

Seated High Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Close-Grip Cable Row

BackBeginner

Cable

Face Pull

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Cable Lateral Raise

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Cable Front Raise

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Cable Upright Row

ShouldersIntermediate

Cable

Behind-Back Cable Lateral Raise

ShouldersIntermediate

Cable

Cable Rear Delt Fly

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Cable Shoulder Press

ShouldersIntermediate

Cable

Cable Y-Raise

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Standing Cable Face Pull

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Single Arm Cable Lateral Raise

ShouldersBeginner

Cable

Cable Curl

BicepsBeginner

Cable

Cable Hammer Curl

BicepsBeginner

Cable

High Cable Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Cable Preacher Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Standing Cable Curl

BicepsBeginner

Cable

Lying Cable Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Bayesian Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Overhead Cable Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Cable Concentration Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Behind the Back Cable Curl

BicepsIntermediate

Cable

Rope Curl

BicepsBeginner

Cable

Single Arm Cable Curl

BicepsBeginner

Cable

Tricep Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Rope Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Overhead Cable Extension

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Single Arm Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Reverse Grip Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

V-Bar Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Cable Cross Body Extension

TricepsBeginner

Cable

High Cable Overhead Extension

TricepsIntermediate

Cable

Double Cable Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Standing Cable Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Drag Pushdown

TricepsIntermediate

Cable

Tempo Tricep Pushdown

TricepsIntermediate

Cable

One and a Half Rep Pushdown

TricepsIntermediate

Cable

Kneeling Cable Tricep Extension

TricepsIntermediate

Cable

Half Kneeling Cable Extension

TricepsIntermediate

Cable

Straight Bar Pushdown

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Overhead Rope Extension

TricepsBeginner

Cable

Cable Squat

QuadricepsBeginner

Cable

Cable Leg Curl

HamstringsBeginner

Cable

Single Leg Cable Pull Through

HamstringsIntermediate

Cable

Cable Single Leg Curl

HamstringsIntermediate

Cable

Cable Pull-Through

GlutesIntermediate

Cable

Cable Kickback

GlutesBeginner

Cable

Cable Hip Abduction

GlutesBeginner

Cable

Cable Hip Extension

GlutesBeginner

Cable

Standing Cable Hip Abduction

GlutesBeginner

Cable

Standing Cable Hip Extension

GlutesBeginner

Cable

Cable Romanian Deadlift

GlutesIntermediate

Cable

Single Leg Cable Kickback

GlutesIntermediate

Cable

Cable Glute Bridge

GlutesIntermediate

Cable

Cable Calf Raise

CalvesIntermediate

Cable

Cable Crunch

CoreBeginner

Cable

Pallof Press

CoreBeginner

Cable

Cable Woodchop

CoreBeginner

Cable

Half-Kneeling Cable Chop

CoreIntermediate

Cable

Half-Kneeling Cable Lift

CoreIntermediate

Cable

Cable Pallof Hold

CoreBeginner

Cable

Oblique Cable Crunch

CoreBeginner

Cable

Cable Anti-Rotation Hold

CoreIntermediate

Cable

Kneeling Cable Crunch with Rotation

CoreIntermediate

Cable

Cable Wrist Curl

ForearmsBeginner

Cable

Cable Reverse Wrist Curl

ForearmsBeginner

Cable

Single-Leg Cable Row

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Staggered-Stance Cable Press

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Half-Kneeling Cable Press

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Half-Kneeling Cable Row

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Pallof Press March

FunctionalAdvanced

Cable

Anti-Rotation Row

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Cable Chop (Half-Kneeling)

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Cable Lift (Half-Kneeling)

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Pallof Walk-Out

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Anti-Rotation Press (Standing)

FunctionalBeginner

Cable

Half Kneeling Chop

FunctionalIntermediate

Cable

Personalized Plans

Get a Plan Using Cable Equipment

MySetPlan builds you a complete monthly workout plan tailored to your available equipment — including cable exercises programmed with the right sets, reps, and progressive overload.

Start Your Free Trial