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 harder than free weights?
Cables keep constant tension on the muscle through the entire range of motion. With free weights, there are parts of the movement where gravity reduces tension. This constant tension means your muscles are working harder for the full rep, which is why cables feel more intense.
Are cables better than dumbbells for isolation work?
For isolation exercises, cables often have the edge because they maintain tension at every point of the movement. Dumbbell flyes lose tension at the top, but cable flyes do not. For compound movements, free weights are generally better. Mix both for the best results.
What are the must-do cable exercises for every muscle group?
Cable flyes for chest, face pulls for rear delts, lat pulldowns for back, cable curls for biceps, tricep pushdowns for triceps, and cable crunches for abs. These exercises take advantage of the constant tension that cables provide and are hard to replicate with free weights.