The back needs thickness not just width, as per our current top bodybuilder's, your back should be thick and meaty. When back training you can do as many as a total of 15 sets or up to 30 sets for the back, while hitting many different angles for complete and overall development. When doing Seated Cable Rows your main objective is to build back thickness to pronounce detail in a lat spread or back double biceps shot.

My opinion, but next to leg training, back training is one of my favorite body parts to train. You have such a wide range of exercises to choose from. Personally, I really like doing seated cable rows. I do them with a v-bar handle, straight bar, and with a rope. The latter is not too easy to do either.



Back training gives you that Cobra back "lights out" lat spread. But emphasize the Seated rows and your back will look like a thick pair of beef slabs, not thin sheets of pork loin. Because of all the chest and shoulder training we do, the shoulders are rounded and pulled forward. That is why it is best to do "retraction" rows or rows with your arms parallel to the floor like seated rows.

Muscles Hit

Seated Cable Rows emphasis is the trapezius muscles, latissimus dorsi, the erector spinae, rear deltoids, biceps, biceps brachialis, and forearm flexors.

Movement

Normally this exercise starts with a handle that puts your grip in palms facing toward each other. Take hold of the two separate cable handles, place your feet firmly on the Block in front of you, let your arms extend all the way forward feeling a stretch in the lats, then pull the cables straight back as if you were doing dumbbell rows.

Feel your back contract completely, especially the stress on the center of your back. Then let the weight slowly return to the starting position while fighting all the way. Again these are excellent because of the consistent pressure that the cables maintain on your back. Remember to use your arms as just tools in order to work your back, don't let them do more work than they have to.

Also, to make sure you are doing them correctly have your partner or someone place there knee in your upper back in-between your shoulder blades to make sure you do not lean back to excessively like many do.

Exercise Variations

  • High Pulley Seated Row Works the lats from an extremely innovative angle! To do these place a V-bar or any attachment that allows you to bring your hands close into your body to the end of the high pulley cable. If all you have is a normal pull down bar then grip it close with an overhand grip.
  • Seated One-Arm Cable Rows Are done with a single-handed handle instead of a v-bar or straight bar or other. Here we work each side of the back independently from the other.
  • Sit on the bench facing the machine. Again, be far enough away so that your lat is completely stretched when your arm is completely extended. Bend forward at the waist, and then pull back till your back is straight keeping your upper arm in close as possible to your side with your head up and feet comfortably directly in front of you.
  • Seated Rope Cable Rows Will help thicken your upper back. By using a rope the row will allow you to concentrate on the upper back. Take hold of the rope handles, place your feet firmly on the ground or the plat form and let your arms extend all the way forward feeling a stretch in your lats.
Beginner workout
1
Chin-Up
2 sets, 10 reps
+ 4 more exercises

BodyFit

$6.99/month
  • 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
  • 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
  • Detailed workout instruction
  • Step-by-step workout tips
  • Training at gym or at home
  • Access to Workout Plans
  • Access to Bodyfit App
  • Store Discounts

What comes with BodyFit?

  • Instructional Videos
  • Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.

  • How-to Images
  • View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.

  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Intermediate workout
1
Lat pull-down
3 sets, 12 reps
+ 3 more exercises

BodyFit

$6.99/month
  • 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
  • 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
  • Detailed workout instruction
  • Step-by-step workout tips
  • Training at gym or at home
  • Access to Workout Plans
  • Access to Bodyfit App
  • Store Discounts

What comes with BodyFit?

  • Instructional Videos
  • Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.

  • How-to Images
  • View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.

  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Advanced workout
1
T-Bar Row
5 sets, 8-10 reps
+ 3 more exercises

BodyFit

$6.99/month
  • 2,500+ expert-created single workouts
  • 3,500+ how-to exercise videos
  • Detailed workout instruction
  • Step-by-step workout tips
  • Training at gym or at home
  • Access to Workout Plans
  • Access to Bodyfit App
  • Store Discounts

What comes with BodyFit?

  • Instructional Videos
  • Don't risk doing a workout improperly! Avoid injury and keep your form in check with in-depth instructional videos.

  • How-to Images
  • View our enormous library of workout photos and see exactly how each exercise should be done before you give it a shot.

  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Quickly read through our step-by-step directions to ensure you're doing each workout correctly the first time, every time.

Every third week change bars on your seated cable rows: first week use rope, then v-bar and then a straight bar.

Note: When using a straight bar your hands can be palms facing down or up, so that would give you two extra exercises with a straight bar on seated cable rows.



About the Author

Curtis Schultz

Curtis Schultz

I was a high school 2 time all-county offensive lineman and linebacker. After high school I attended a Junior College in California there I was a 2 year letter winner and made All-conference...

View all articles by this author