Exercise guide
Cable Rear Delt Row With Rope
- Beginner
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
This compound movement specifically targets the posterior deltoids and upper back, improving shoulder posture and building thickness in the rear shoulder complex. Using a rope allows for a greater range of motion and the ability to pull the hands apart to maximize muscle fiber recruitment.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Set the cable pulley to chest height and attach a rope handle.
- Grasp the ends of the rope with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) and step back until your arms are fully extended.
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart or in a staggered stance for stability, keeping a slight bend in your knees.
- Engage your core and keep your chest upright with a slight lean back to create a stable base.
How to do it
- Exhale as you pull the rope toward your upper chest, leading the movement with your elbows rather than your hands.
- As you pull, flare your elbows out wide to the sides and pull the ends of the rope apart toward your ears.
- Inhale as you slowly return the rope to the starting position over a 2-3 second count, maintaining constant tension.
- Keep your wrists neutral and avoid using momentum or rocking your torso to move the weight.
Form checklist
- Keep elbows high and wide, roughly in line with your shoulders throughout the pull.
- Avoid shrugging your shoulders toward your ears; keep the traps depressed.
- Maintain a stationary torso without leaning further back as the weight gets heavy.
- Ensure the movement is driven by the rear delts, not just by flexing the biceps.
Pro tips
- Focus on 'splitting' the rope at the end of the movement to achieve a peak contraction in the rear deltoids.
- Think about driving your elbows back and out to the side walls rather than just pulling the rope toward your face.
Make it harder
- Add a 2-second isometric hold at the point of maximum contraction.
- Perform a slow eccentric phase, taking 4-5 seconds to return to the starting position.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the cable rear delt row with rope work?
- The cable rear delt row with rope primarily targets the deltoids, and also works the erector spinae, rhomboids, and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the cable rear delt row with rope?
- The cable rear delt row with rope uses cable and rope.
- Is the cable rear delt row with rope good for beginners?
- Yes. The cable rear delt row with rope is a beginner-friendly movement and a strong foundation to build on.