Developing a strong and sculpted back is one of the top goals for a lot of people going to the gym. But where do you start as a beginner? Look no further than cable machines.
Cable exercises provide incredible versatility and constant tension that free weights cannot match. When performed with proper form, cable back workouts offer a safe and effective path to building that coveted barn door back.
Overview
Undeniable Benefits of Cable Machines in Back Training
- It’s Great for Beginners
- No Direct Load
- Functionality
- Constant Tension
Anatomy of the Back: Targeted Muscles in Cable Workouts
Setting Up for Success: Proper Form and Safety Precautions
Essential Cable Back Workouts for Beginners
- Seated Cable Rows
- Seated Lat Pulldowns
- Straight Arm Pulldowns
- Seated Upper Back Cable Row
- Cable Rope Face Pulls
- Cable Shrugs
Progression Tips and Variations
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Question
Undeniable Benefits of Cable Machines in Back Training
A cable machine is simply a machine that uses a cable through a system of pulleys to lift weights. And if you’re wondering whether the machine will help you achieve your training goals, here’s a look at some of the benefits it brings.
- It’s Great for Beginners
This benefit may not be a big deal if you’re an experienced weightlifter. But it definitely means a lot for beginners.
Remember that with free weights, people expend a lot of energy trying to master the right form of workouts. You’re not yet used to supporting the loaded dumbbells in different positions. Thus, you end up tipping, stumbling, and sometimes fumbling with exercises like deadlifts and lunges.
When it comes to using a cable machine, however, there’s no direct load on your body. This means far less weight imbalance and you can focus on the specific movements of whatever exercises you’re doing. Mastering the form on cable machine exercises enables a beginner to train safely.
- No Direct Load
If you’ve suffered from multiple joint injuries before, then you know that this is a huge benefit that would make a weightlifter love cable machines.
With free weights, you’re supporting a heavily loaded barbell. With bench presses, for instance, you’d be holding it out at arm’s length but if it’s squats, you’d be carrying it on your shoulder. So this load can actually increase your risk to injuries if you have joint problems.
Bench presses can lead to a higher risk of shoulder injuries. That’s because of an incorrect form or heavy barbells loaded on your shoulders that can lead to lower back injuries when doing squats.
But when using a cable machine, there is no actual load placed directly on a person’s body. They can only support the weight when they pull or push on the handle to lift the weight stack. This means that there’s a much lower chance of injuries.
Moreover, cable machines tend to be gentle and safer for those suffering from existing injuries. So whether you want to strengthen your chest with a cable machine or try safer alternatives for leg day, a cable machine is what you need.
- Functionality
Working out on a cable machine offers you a more functional form of exercise. That’s considering the fact that movement patterns are more akin to real life movements like squatting, bending, and twisting.
Remember that your movements are not restricted by a machine. We can say that our legs are trained from a standing position. Therefore, the cable machine mimics actions such as climbing the stairs, walking, or balancing on one leg. This kind of training on a cable machine greatly improves your balance.
- Constant Tension
Cable machines offer constant tension when users lift and lower the weight. Note that muscle growth and enhanced strength are directly dependent on how much tension is placed on the muscles during workouts. As a result, cable machines fatigue faster leading to greater strength gains.
Anatomy of the Back: Targeted Muscles in Cable Workouts
Using a cable machine for back exercises results in some amazing gains. These include building a stronger, thicker, and wider back. Performing back exercises with cable machines helps to enhance other large compound lifts like deadlifts.
The use of various attachments, angles, and weights ensures that the cable machine targets all the muscles on the back. But what are these muscles? Let’s find out:
The trapezius. This triangle-shaped muscle runs from the base of the skull and spine out to the shoulder blades. Cables hit all sections of the traps when working out.
Rhomboids. This muscle is located between the spine and shoulder blades. Cable exercises like rows work the rhomboids.
Teres major and minor. Rotator cuff muscles activated during cable movements.
Latissimus dorsi. These wedge-shaped “wings” run along the back below the armpits down to the waist. Cables hammer the lats from top to bottom during workouts.
Erector spinae. These are the long columns of muscles that run along the vertebrae. Cable pullovers and rotations are what train these muscles.
With focused cable training, an individual can sculpt an intricately defined landscape across their entire backside.
Setting Up for Success: Proper Form and Safety Precautions
Before jumping into back-blasting cable moves, it’s important that you practice proper form. That’s because poor exercise techniques can result in shoulder, neck, or back injury. Here are the tips to follow:
Engage your core by bracing your abdominal muscles to support your spine in a neutral position.
Retract shoulder blades by keeping your shoulders pulled down and back to avoid rounding.
Move through the full range of motion for maximum results and injury prevention.
Give yourself enough room. Remember that the machine takes up a lot of space on the floor. And you need to be able to freely move while exercising.
Ask for help. If you’re not sure of something like how to do a move, it’s important that you ask a professional trainer for help. That’s because exercising at the wrong height can decrease effectiveness and increase the chances of injury.
Don’t overexert yourself. Just like free weights, it’s crucial that you work with comfortable weights. If it happens that you have a hard time exercising with the correct form, decrease the resistance to avoid injuries.
Use controlled, smooth movements. No jerky swinging with momentum only.
Breathe steadily. Avoid holding your breath. Exhale on exertion and inhale on return.
Select the appropriate weight by picking a challenging but manageable load that you can handle with good form.
With these form pointers in mind, let’s explore the best cable back exercises for beginners. We’ll target all those muscles for a comprehensive barn door back workout.
Essential Cable Back Workouts for Beginners
Here are the top cable exercises to include in your back workout if you’re a beginner:
- Seated Cable Rows
The seated cable row machine works the upper back muscles. During the workouts, you’ll also activate the biceps, triceps, and core.
Moreover, you can play around with different attachments to target various muscles in the upper body. Here’s how to go about it:
- Pick the attachment that you’d like to use before sitting down.
- Get onto the seat and make sure that the pulley is at chest height.
- Stick your chest up and adjust your positioning. This will ensure that there’s a slight bend in your knees.
- Slightly lean forward to take hold of the attachment, and remember that your arms should be straight.
- Retract the shoulder blades and pull the attachment towards the lower chest area.
- Pause and return the attachment to the starting position, then repeat as desired.
- Seated Lat Pulldowns
Wide-grip lat pulldowns are a staple in the bodybuilding world. That’s because they can build muscles in the latissimus dorsi as well as the biceps brachii. They may help you get better at bodyweight lat workouts. Here’s how to do it:
- With an overhand grip, take hold of the attachment. Your hands should be slightly wider than the shoulder width apart and your palms facing away.
- Sit on the seat with your head neutral and focus on the activation of the lats rather than the biceps. Then bring the attachment down to your upper chest region. You’re supposed to slightly lean back as the bar gets closer to your body.
- Bring the attachment back up in a controlled manner and continue the reps.
- Straight Arm Pulldowns
This exercise keeps tension on your lats through the entire range of motion. Here’s what to do to perform:
- Stand facing the cable station and adjust the pulley to head height.
- Grip the rope attachment with palms facing in and the arms extended.
- Without bending the elbows, pull the rope down by extending the arms back and squeezing the shoulder blades.
- Slowly return to start with arms straight, aiming for 3 sets of 12-15 smooth reps.
- Seated Upper Back Cable Row
- This is a top move for building upper back thickness. To perform:
- Sit facing the cable station and keep your chest upright and the core braced.
- Grip the rope handle with palms down and sit tall.
- Initiate row by driving the elbows back and squeezing the shoulder blades together.
- Slowly return to start with control and shoot for 3 sets of 10-12 reps, focusing on squeezing the upper back.
- Cable Rope Face Pulls
Face pulls target the posterior delts, rhomboids, and traps for rounded back development. Here’s what to do:
- Stand sideways at the cable station and grip the rope handle with palms down.
- With your arms straight out, pull the rope toward your face by bending the elbows out wide.
- Slowly return to the starting position with control, aiming for 3 sets of 15-20 reps using light weight and controlled form.
- Cable Shrugs
Don’t neglect your traps as cable shrugs work the upper traps from a unique angle. Here’s what to do:
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart facing the low pulley and grip the straight bar with an overhand grip.
- Initiate the shrug by raising shoulders straight up toward the ears and slowly return to the starting position with control.
- Shoot for 3 sets of 12-15 reps, squeezing at the top.
Progression Tips and Variations
As your back strength improves, it’s important that you integrate the following strategies to enhance the results:
- To increase resistance, you can go up to 2.5-10 lbs when sets become too easy.
- Add reps by hitting more than 15 reps before you can add weight.
- Alter the rest intervals by taking shorter rest breaks to boost intensity.
- Use unilateral moves by training one side at a time to correct possible imbalances.
- Vary grip and angles by hitting your back from new positions.
- Try advanced exercises by incorporating pullups, barbell rows, and deadlifts.
Conclusion
Apart from meeting your strength and fitness goals, cable machines also help newbies in bridging the gap to progressive functional training. The machine enables its users to gain the strength, control, and confidence to try other training methods.
If you’ve been working out for a while, you can try mixing up your functional workouts with the addition of cable exercises. Just keep in mind that there are no rules. Apart from doing skillful sports-specific movements, you can add an element of play to your cable exercises.
Frequently Asked Question
- Are cable machines as effective as free weights?
Research shows that cable machines and free weights stimulate comparable muscle and strength gains for beginners when programmed in the right manner. Cables offer constant tension which makes them exceptional for sculpting the back.
- Is it safe for beginners to use cable machines?
Yes, cable machines are safe for beginners when used with proper form. Their fixed path of motion reduces injury risks compared to the free weights. So start with light resistance and seek guidance from a professional trainer.
- How often should I increase weight on cable back exercises?
Aim to progressively lift heavier weight over time by increasing resistance 2.5-10 lbs. Note that adding weight more frequently or aggressively can increase your risk to injuries.
