Exercise guide
Cable Seated Row To Neck with Rope Attachment
- Intermediate
- Compound
- Rep-based
- Back
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
This compound pulling variation targets the rear deltoids, upper trapezius, and rhomboids by utilizing a high-pull path to improve posture and shoulder stability. Using a rope allows for a greater range of motion and peak contraction compared to a fixed bar.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Sit on the bench facing the cable machine with your feet firmly planted on the footrests or floor.
- Attach a rope to the pulley set at chest height.
- Grasp the ends of the rope with a neutral grip (palms facing each other) and sit back until your arms are fully extended.
- Maintain an upright torso with a slight backward lean and a proud chest.
How to do it
- Exhale and pull the rope towards your neck or chin, flaring your elbows out wide and away from your body.
- As you pull, actively pull the ends of the rope apart to maximize the contraction in your rear delts and upper back.
- Inhale and slowly extend your arms back to the starting position, maintaining tension on the cable.
- Follow a controlled tempo: 1 second for the pull, a 1-second squeeze at the top, and 2 seconds for the return.
Form checklist
- Keep your elbows high and aligned with your shoulders throughout the movement.
- Avoid shrugging your shoulders up toward your ears; keep the scapula depressed.
- Maintain a stationary torso and avoid using momentum or rocking to pull the weight.
- Ensure the rope ends travel toward your ears, not your chest.
Pro tips
- Focus on 'leading with the elbows' to shift the load from your biceps to your rear deltoids and traps.
- Imagine trying to pull the rope through your head to achieve maximum scapular retraction and rear delt shortening.
Make it harder
- Incorporate a 3-second isometric hold at the peak of the contraction to increase time under tension.
- Perform a 'slow eccentric' by taking 4-5 seconds to return the weight to the starting position.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the cable seated row to neck with rope attachment work?
- The cable seated row to neck with rope attachment primarily targets the lats and rhomboids, and also works the abs and obliques as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the cable seated row to neck with rope attachment?
- The cable seated row to neck with rope attachment uses cable.
- Is the cable seated row to neck with rope attachment good for beginners?
- The cable seated row to neck with rope attachment is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
Related exercises
- Band Bent Over Lat PulldownIntermediate · lats, rhomboids, and trapezius
- Band Bent Over One Arm KickbackBeginner · biceps, lats, rhomboids, and trapezius
- Band Fixed Back Underhand PulldownBeginner · lats, rhomboids, and trapezius
- Band One Arm Twisting Seated RowIntermediate · lats, rhomboids, and trapezius