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
Cable Fly
Constant chest tension from stretch to contraction, superior to dumbbell flyes for hypertrophy.
Lat Pulldown
Adjustable resistance for back training at any strength level.
Cable Row
Smooth rowing motion with constant tension through the full pull.
Tricep Pushdown
The go-to cable exercise for building tricep mass.
Face Pull
Essential for shoulder health, rear delt development, and posture correction.
Cable Curl
Constant bicep tension eliminates the dead spots of dumbbell curls.
Cable Lateral Raise
Builds side delts with tension from start to finish.
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
Cable
Incline Cable Fly
Cable
Cable Crossover
Cable
Low-to-High Cable Fly
Cable
High-to-Low Cable Fly
Cable
Cable Pullover
Cable
One-Arm Cable Crossover
Cable
Standing Cable Press
Cable
Incline Cable Press
Cable
Decline Cable Fly
Cable
Lying Cable Fly
Cable
Incline Cable Crossover
Cable
Lat Pulldown
Cable
Seated Cable Row
Cable
Close-Grip Lat Pulldown
Cable
Straight-Arm Pulldown
Cable
Single-Arm Cable Row
Cable
Reverse-Grip Lat Pulldown
Cable
Single-Arm Lat Pulldown
Cable
Wide-Grip Cable Row
Cable
Cable Shrug
Cable
Face Pull with External Rotation
Cable
Bent-Arm Pulldown
Cable
Kneeling Cable Pulldown
Cable
Eccentric Row
Cable
Iso-Hold Row
Cable
1.5 Rep Row
Cable
Underhand Lat Pulldown
Cable
Standing Cable Pullover
Cable
Cable Deadlift
Cable
V-Bar Lat Pulldown
Cable
Wide-Grip Seated Row
Cable
Cable High Row
Cable
Dual Cable Pulldown
Cable
Low Cable Row
Cable
Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown
Cable
Reverse Cable Fly
Cable
Seated High Row
Cable
Close-Grip Cable Row
Cable
Face Pull
Cable
Cable Lateral Raise
Cable
Cable Front Raise
Cable
Cable Upright Row
Cable
Behind-Back Cable Lateral Raise
Cable
Cable Rear Delt Fly
Cable
Cable Shoulder Press
Cable
Cable Y-Raise
Cable
Standing Cable Face Pull
Cable
Single Arm Cable Lateral Raise
Cable
Cable Curl
Cable
Cable Hammer Curl
Cable
High Cable Curl
Cable
Cable Preacher Curl
Cable
Standing Cable Curl
Cable
Lying Cable Curl
Cable
Bayesian Curl
Cable
Overhead Cable Curl
Cable
Cable Concentration Curl
Cable
Behind the Back Cable Curl
Cable
Rope Curl
Cable
Single Arm Cable Curl
Cable
Tricep Pushdown
Cable
Rope Pushdown
Cable
Overhead Cable Extension
Cable
Single Arm Pushdown
Cable
Reverse Grip Pushdown
Cable
V-Bar Pushdown
Cable
Cable Cross Body Extension
Cable
High Cable Overhead Extension
Cable
Double Cable Pushdown
Cable
Standing Cable Pushdown
Cable
Drag Pushdown
Cable
Tempo Tricep Pushdown
Cable
One and a Half Rep Pushdown
Cable
Kneeling Cable Tricep Extension
Cable
Half Kneeling Cable Extension
Cable
Straight Bar Pushdown
Cable
Overhead Rope Extension
Cable
Cable Squat
Cable
Cable Leg Curl
Cable
Single Leg Cable Pull Through
Cable
Cable Single Leg Curl
Cable
Cable Pull-Through
Cable
Cable Kickback
Cable
Cable Hip Abduction
Cable
Cable Hip Extension
Cable
Standing Cable Hip Abduction
Cable
Standing Cable Hip Extension
Cable
Cable Romanian Deadlift
Cable
Single Leg Cable Kickback
Cable
Cable Glute Bridge
Cable
Cable Calf Raise
Cable
Cable Crunch
Cable
Pallof Press
Cable
Cable Woodchop
Cable
Half-Kneeling Cable Chop
Cable
Half-Kneeling Cable Lift
Cable
Cable Pallof Hold
Cable
Oblique Cable Crunch
Cable
Cable Anti-Rotation Hold
Cable
Kneeling Cable Crunch with Rotation
Cable
Cable Wrist Curl
Cable
Cable Reverse Wrist Curl
Cable
Single-Leg Cable Row
Cable
Staggered-Stance Cable Press
Cable
Half-Kneeling Cable Press
Cable
Half-Kneeling Cable Row
Cable
Pallof Press March
Cable
Anti-Rotation Row
Cable
Cable Chop (Half-Kneeling)
Cable
Cable Lift (Half-Kneeling)
Cable
Pallof Walk-Out
Cable
Anti-Rotation Press (Standing)
Cable
Half Kneeling Chop
Cable
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