193 exercises
The Best 193 Cable Exercises with Videos & Tips
Discover cable machine exercises providing constant tension throughout the entire range of motion. Each exercise includes HD video demonstrations and biomechanical cues to help you isolate muscle groups, optimize strength curves, and maximize muscle activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do cable exercises feel different from free weights?
Cable machines maintain constant tension throughout the full range of motion, while free weights only create maximum tension at the point where gravity is strongest. This means you get resistance at the top, middle, and bottom of every rep, which keeps your muscles under load longer and often produces a stronger contraction than the equivalent free weight exercise.
Are cables better than dumbbells for isolation exercises?
For most isolation exercises, cables have an advantage because you can adjust the angle of resistance to match the muscle's line of pull. For example, cable lateral raises maintain tension at the top of the movement where dumbbells become easier. However, dumbbells are better for exercises where the strength curve matches gravity naturally, like curls. Using both in your program gives the best results.
What cable attachments should I use?
The most versatile attachments are the rope (for pushdowns, face pulls, curls), the straight bar (for pushdowns, curls, rows), the D-handle (for single-arm work), and the V-bar (for close-grip rows and pushdowns). Start with these four and you can perform virtually every cable exercise. The rope is the most important single attachment for training variety.
