Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row

Intermediate

Upper Back

Cable

Skip the guesswork: Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row leans on unbroken cable tension for a thicker, wider upper back.

How to do Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row

Sit on the elevated seat facing the cable machine.
Grab the cable rope handles with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
Keep your back straight and lean slightly back, maintaining a slight bend in your knees.
Pull the cable towards your body by retracting your shoulder blades and squeezing your back muscles.
Pause for a moment at the fully contracted position.
Slowly release the tension and extend your arms back to the starting position.

Add to an AI Workout Plan All Back Exercises

Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row Sets and Reps by Goal

Strength

4 sets of 4-6 reps with 3 minutes of rest. Step back until the stack never rests at the top.

Hypertrophy

4 sets of 8-12 reps with 75-90 seconds of rest. Stretch the return phase before adding weight.

Endurance

3 sets of 15-20 reps with 45 seconds of rest. Move the pin one plate once the last rep feels easy.

Common Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row Mistakes

Setting the pulley at the wrong height for the line of pull

Match pulley height so the cable lines up with the working muscle.

Pulling with the arms before the shoulder blades move

Start each rep by drawing the shoulder blades together, then bend the elbows.

Adding weight faster than technique can absorb it

Hold a weight until every rep looks identical, then move up.

Easier and Harder Than Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row

Easier progression

Barbell Incline Row

Harder progression

Lever One Arm Bent Over Row

Swap Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row For

Kettlebell Alternating Renegade Row

Band One Arm Standing Low Row

Dumbbell One Arm Bent-over Row

Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row — Frequently Asked Questions

How do you do the Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row?

Sit on the elevated seat facing the cable machine. Grab the cable rope handles with an overhand grip, palms facing each other. Keep your back straight and lean slightly back, maintaining a slight bend in your knees. Use a cable machine and keep the movement controlled through the full range. The animated GIF above shows the complete rep at normal speed.

What muscles does the Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row work?

The Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row primarily targets the upper back. It is classified as a back exercise and is performed with a cable machine.

How many sets and reps of the Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row should I do?

For muscle growth: 4 sets of 8-12 reps with 75-90 seconds of rest. Stretch the return phase before adding weight. Adjust the load rather than the rep target if form breaks down before the final rep.

Is the Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row good for beginners?

It is an intermediate movement. You will get more out of it once you can already perform the basic back patterns with controlled form. Beginners can still use it with light load and close attention to technique.

What can I do instead of the Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row?

Try the Kettlebell Alternating Renegade Row, Band One Arm Standing Low Row or the Dumbbell One Arm Bent-over Row. Each trains the upper back with a similar movement pattern, so you can swap based on the equipment you have available.