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Upper Body Cable

17 min
 · 
6 exercises
Push-ups
4 sets
20 reps
Cross body Cable Rows
3 sets
15 reps
Cable Upright Rows
3 sets
15 reps
Tricep Cable Rope Push Downs
3 sets
15 reps
Cable Shrugs
3 sets
15 reps
Upward Cable Wood Chops
3 sets
25 reps
This Upper Body Cable 17 min-minute gym workout plan effectively targets your abs, arms, back and chest.... Easily follow this workout with confidence on your phone or printable exercise program with our clear exercise demonstrations. You can also look up step-by-step instructions for each of the 6 exercises and see which muscle groups they target. Enjoy!

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Upper Body Cable
17 min
 · 
6 exercises
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Push-ups
4 sets
20 reps
Set 1 of 4
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Chest
Secondary:
Abs, Shoulders, Triceps
  1. Get into position by placing your hands flat on the floor, directly below your shoulders.
  2. Extend your legs out behind you, with only your toes and balls of your feet touching the floor.
  3. Hold your body up and keep your back straight by tightening your abdominal muscles.
  4. Your neck and head should be bent slightly back.
  5. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows until your chest is just above the ground or you feel a stretching of your chest and shoulders. Hold for a count of one.
  6. Press upwards from your chest and shoulders, straightening your arms as you return to the starting position. Hold for a count of one.
  7. Repeat.
Cross body Cable Rows
3 sets
15 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Middle Back / Lats
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps
  • Adjust a cable pulley system with handles above shoulder level.
  • Grab each side of the pulley system with opposite hands. Your arms will form an X shape.
  • With a tight core, pull each side of pulley system, expanding your chest while tightening your back.
  • Hold the contraction in your back and slowly bring your arms back to the starting point.
  • Repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Lower Back, Upper Back & Lower Traps
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Shoulders
  1. Place a dumbbell on each side of a flat bench.
  2. Place your right knee on the end of the bench.
  3. Bend your torso from the waist until your upper body is parallel to the floor, while placing your right hand on the bench in front of you for support.
  4. With your left hand, pick up the dumbbell with an overhand grip. The palm of your hand should be facing into you.
  5. Keep your lower back straight. This is the start position.
  6. Using your back muscles, pull the dumbbell straight up to the side of your chest, keeping your upper arm close to your side. Exhale as you do so.
  7. At the top of the movement, hold for a count of one and squeeze your back muscles.
  8. Return to the start position inhaling as you do so. Repeat.
  9. Complete all repetitions for one side before switching sides.

This exercise can be performed  using a cable station, with a stirrup handle attached to either the high or low pulley.

Cable Upright Rows
3 sets
15 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Attach a straight bar to the low pulley on the cable station.
  2. Stand facing the station with your feet shoulder width apart either side of the pulley.
  3. Grip the bar with an overhand grip, with your hands shoulder width apart and arms fully extended.
  4. Keep your shoulders back.
  5. Raise the bar straight up in one smooth movement, until it is just below your chin.
  6. Hold for a count of one while squeezing your biceps and forearms.
  7. Slowly lower to the start position and repeat.
Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Neck & Upper Traps
  1. Stand with your back straight, holding a barbell with an overhand grip slightly less than shoulder width apart.
  2. The bar should be level with the tops of your thighs.
  3. Keep your arms extended with a slight bend at the elbows. This is the start position.
  4. Exhale and using the sides of your shoulders lift the bar.
  5. As you do so, raise your elbows up and out to the side.
  6. Keep the bar close to your body as you raise it.
  7. Continue  lifting the bar until it is just below your chin. Pause for a count of one.
  8. Return to the start position in a single smooth movement. Inhale as you do so.
  9. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a straight bar attached to a low pulley or using dumbbells.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
Secondary:
Abs, Biceps, Forearms, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Holding a dumbbell in each hand,stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  2. The dumbbells should be resting on your thighs with your palms facing in.
  3. Lift the dumbbells straight up in single smooth movement until they are just below your chin making sure to keep your shoulders back and your elbows out.
  4. At the top of the movement, flex or squeeze your biceps and forearms. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the starting position slowly to keep tension on the muscles.
  6. Repeat.

This exercise can be performed using a barbell,EZ bar or a cable station with a straight bar or EZ bar attachment.

Tricep Cable Rope Push Downs
3 sets
15 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs, Forearms
  1. Set up a cable station with a straight bar on attached to the top pulley.
  2. Grip the bar with an overhand grip,with your hands slightly less than shoulder width apart.
  3. Position your feet shoulder width apart,with knees slightly bent for stability.
  4. Pull the bar down until your forearms are parallel to the floor with your elbows close to your body and your wrists locked in a straight position. This is your staring point.
  5. Moving only your forearms, push the bar down towards the floor until your arms are fully extended and you feel a stretch in your triceps. Hold for a count of one and squeeze your triceps.
  6. Return to the start position moving your forearms only. Hold for a count of one then repeat.

Do not move your elbows or swing your hips for momentum during this movement.

Primary muscle group(s):
Triceps
Secondary:
Abs, Lower Back
  1. Holding a pair of dumbbells with an overhand grip, stand tall with your chest up and core braced. Bend at the hips while keeping your back completely flat.
  2. Once your upper body is parallel with the floor, bring your upper arms to your sides. Begin by pushing the dumbbells back and behind you.
  3. Pause at the top of the movement and feel the contraction in your triceps. Slowly lower the dumbbells and begin again.
Cable Shrugs
3 sets
15 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Neck & Upper Traps
Secondary:
Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Stand in front of a cable pulley. Feet are shoulder-width. Your core is tight and lower back is flat. Hold the cable bar and let it hang in front of you. Keep the weight close to your body.
  2. Without using your arms, exhale and bring your shoulders towards your ears.
  3. Hold the movement at the top then slowly bring the weight back down.
Primary muscle group(s):
Neck & Upper Traps
Secondary:
Shoulders, Upper Back & Lower Traps
  1. Place your feet shoulder width apart and using an overhand grip at a little more than shoulder width, hold a barbell in front of you.
  2. Your arms should be fully extended towards the floor, palms facing in towards your thighs. This is the start position.
  3. Exhale and raise or shrug your shoulders up in a slow controlled movement. Do not use your biceps to assist in lifting the barbell.
  4. Continue as high as possible then hold for a count of one.
  5. Return to the start position in a smooth movement, inhaling as you do so.
  6. Pause then repeat.

You can rotate your shoulders when performing this exercise. However this is not recommended for people with shoulder problems.

Primary muscle group(s):
Shoulders
  1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and a dumbbell in each hand.
  2. Keep your arms extended and by your sides and with your palms facing in.
  3. Relax your shoulders so they hang as low as possible.
  4. Raise the dumbbells by slowly lifting your shoulders in a shrugging motion. Hold for a count of one.
  5. Slowly relax your shoulders to return to the start position.
  6. Repeat.

You can also rotate your shoulders in a circular movement during this exercise. One direction on the lift, the opposite direction when lowering to the start position.

Upward Cable Wood Chops
3 sets
25 reps
Set 1 of 3
Rest before next set
Get ready
321GO
Primary muscle group(s):
Abs, Obliques
Secondary:
Shoulders
  1. Stand with your side to the cable machine. Grab the handle with the opposing hand first. Keep a flat back and tight core throughout the movement. Squat down by bending your knees and driving your hips back.
  2. Keeping your feet in position, rise and twist the weight to the opposite side of your body.
  3. Pause, contract the muscle and slowly return to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Adjust the pulley lever to be above you. Stand next to a pulley machine with your left side. Grab the handle with both hands. Brace your core and separate your feet to outside of shoulder width.
  2. Begin the movement by twisting with your obliques to pull the handle down and across your body.
  3. Once the handle is on the right side of your body, pause and slowly return the handle to the starting position.
Primary muscle group(s):
Hamstrings, Obliques, Quadriceps
Secondary:
Calves, Hamstrings
  1. Secure a firm grip with both hands on an appropriately weighted dumbbell. Place your feet shoulder-width apart. Begin by moving the dumbbell up and over towards your right side.
  2. Twist your body to bring the dumbbell down and to the left. Bend at the knees and drop your hips slightly. Make the motion of placing the dumbbell on the ground.
  3. Repeat the movement, taking the dumbbell back up and overhead. Keep your arms straight throughout.
Primary muscle group(s):
Obliques
Secondary:
Abs
  1. Stand with your feet no wider than shoulder width apart and hold the medicine ball with one hand at either side in front of your chest.
  2. Rotate your body from the waist up to the left side and raise the medicine ball over your left shoulder, not quite fully extending your arms. Be sure to get extra reach by pointing your right toe.
  3. Using a chopping motion, bring the ball diagonally across the front of your body so that the ball ends on the outer side of your right shin.
  4. Bring the ball straight up the right side of your body and again move diagonally across your body once again to complete the motion.
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