Exercise guide · Intermediate · Compound

Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row: How to Do It & Muscles Worked

The cable rope elevated seated row is a strength exercise targeting the upper back, performed on an elevated seat using a cable machine with rope handles. It emphasizes scapular retraction and upper back engagement while also working the biceps and forearms.

Primary muscles
Traps
Secondary muscles
Forearms , Biceps
Equipment
Cable
Level · type
Intermediate · Compound
Demonstration of the cable rope elevated seated row
Front view: muscles worked by the cable rope elevated seated row. Primary: traps. Secondary: forearms and biceps.
Back view: muscles worked by the cable rope elevated seated row. Primary: traps. Secondary: forearms and biceps.
Primary Secondary

How to do the cable rope elevated seated row

  1. Step 1: Sit on the elevated seat facing the cable machine.
  2. Step 2: Grab the cable rope handles with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
  3. Step 3: Keep your back straight and lean slightly back, maintaining a slight bend in your knees.
  4. Step 4: Pull the cable towards your body by retracting your shoulder blades and squeezing your back muscles.
  5. Step 5: Pause for a moment at the fully contracted position.
  6. Step 6: Slowly release the tension and extend your arms back to the starting position.
  7. Step 7: Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sets, reps and programming

Suggested sets, reps and rest for the cable rope elevated seated row by training goal
Goal Sets Reps Rest Effort
Strength 3–5 3–6 3–5 min 1–3 reps in reserve
Muscle growth 3–4 6–12 2–3 min 1–2 reps in reserve
Muscular endurance 2–3 12–20 1–2 min 1–3 reps in reserve

Ranges follow the ACSM position stand on progression in resistance training. Muscle grows across a wide range of loads when sets end close to failure (Schoenfeld et al., 2017), longer rests between heavy sets support strength and size (Schoenfeld et al., 2016), and stopping a rep or two short of failure works about as well as training to failure (Grgic et al., 2022). Estimate your working weights with the strength calculators.

Cable Rope Elevated Seated Row alternatives

More exercises that train the traps as their main target:

More traps exercises

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Sources

  1. American College of Sports Medicine. Progression models in resistance training for healthy adults. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009;41(3):687-708.
  2. Schoenfeld BJ, Grgic J, Ogborn D, Krieger JW. Strength and hypertrophy adaptations between low- vs. high-load resistance training. J Strength Cond Res. 2017;31(12):3508-3523.
  3. Schoenfeld BJ, Pope ZK, Benik FM, et al. Longer interset rest periods enhance muscle strength and hypertrophy in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res. 2016;30(7):1805-1812.
  4. Grgic J, Schoenfeld BJ, Orazem J, Sabol F. Effects of resistance training performed to repetition failure or non-failure on muscular strength and hypertrophy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Sport Health Sci. 2022;11(2):202-211.

Step-by-step instructions and demonstration media are from the ExerciseDB exercise dataset.

This guide is general fitness information, not medical advice. Stop if an exercise causes pain and speak to a doctor or physiotherapist about injuries or health conditions before starting a new programme.