Standing twisting cable row
Exercise details
- Target muscle: None. The back in general. See synergists
- Synergists: Latissimus Dorsi, Teres Major, Teres Minor, Rhomboids, Infraspinatus, Middle and Lower Trapezius, Posterior Deltoid, Lower Pectoralis Major, Brachialis, Brachioradialis, Obliques, Quadratus Lumborum, Psoas Major, Iliocastalis Lumborum, Iliocastalis Thoracis, Gluteus Medius, Gluteus Minimus, Tensor Fasciae Latae, Adductor Magnus, Adductor Longus, Adductor Brevis
- Dynamic stabilizers: Biceps Brachii, Triceps Brachii (long head only)
- Mechanics: Compound
- Force: Pull
Starting position
- Attach a stirrup (handle) to an elbow-high cable pulley.
- Grasp the stirrup with your right hand and step backward until the cable is pulled taut, your arm and shoulder are stretched forward, and your waist is rotated towards the pulley.
- Position your right foot in front of your left foot for stability. Your knees should be slightly bent, your right foot should be flat, and your left heel should be raised off the floor.
- Place your free hand on your hip.
Execution
- Keeping your elbow close to your body, exhale as you pull the stirrup to the side of your waist and rotate your body to the same side as your loaded arm.
- Hold for a count of two and squeeze your back muscles.
- Inhale as you reverse the movement and return the stirrup to the starting position, with your arm and shoulder stretching forward and your waist rotated towards the pulley.
- Repeat for the prescribed number of repetitions.
- Repeat the exercise with your left arm.
Comments and tips
- Ensure that most of the rotation occurs in your waist and not your hips.
- Do not rotate your waist beyond feeling a mild stretch in your side.
- The standing twisting cable row is an effective exercise for developing unilateral upper-body strength, as well as improving core strength and stability. Try it using both the stance described above and the opposite stance to see which one you prefer. Note that the opposite stance will activate slightly different muscles in your thighs, hips, and gluteals.
- See also the standing twisting cable high row and the seated twisting cable row.
Standing twisting cable row video
Unfortunately, this is the closest video I could find to demonstrate the standing twisting cable row. It’s the standing twisting cable high row using the opposite stance.
