5 Upper Body Cable Exercises for Toned Arms

Hey guys,

So today I am sharing a little workout Wednesday for you guys and sharing 5 upper body cable exercises you can do on the cable machine. These workouts will help tone and tighten your arms. I love the cable machine because it allows for smooth controlled movements so you can really concentrate on activating the muscles you are working on. All of these workouts were done using the curl bar attachment. I know how busy it can be at the gym, so for me I like trying to maximize my workout by utilizes different exercises on the same machine. Check out my short one minute video above and the exercise description below. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to comment below!

5 Upper Body Cable Exercises for Toned Arms

1. Tricep Pushdown

1. Attach a straight or angled bar to a high pulley and grab with an overhand grip (palms facing down) at shoulder width.
2. Standing upright with the torso straight and a very small inclination forward, bring the upper arms close to your body and perpendicular to the floor. The forearms should be pointing up towards the pulley as they hold the bar. This is your starting position.
3. Using the triceps, bring the bar down until it touches the front of your thighs and the arms are fully extended perpendicular to the floor. The upper arms should always remain stationary next to your torso and only the forearms should move. Exhale as you perform this movement.
4. After a second hold at the contracted position, bring the bar slowly up to the starting point. Breathe in as you perform this step.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

2.Tricep reverse grip pulldown

1. Start by setting a bar attachment (straight or e-z) on a high pulley machine.
2. Facing the bar attachment, grab it with the palms facing up (supinated grip) at shoulder width. Lower the bar by using your lats until your arms are fully extended by your sides. Tip: Elbows should be in by your sides and your feet should be shoulder width apart from each other. This is the starting position.
3. Slowly elevate the bar attachment up as you inhale so it is aligned with your chest. Only the forearms should move and the elbows/upper arms should be stationary by your side at all times.
4. Then begin to lower the cable bar back down to the original staring position while exhaling and contracting the triceps hard.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

3. Cable Curl Bar High Pulls

1. Attach a rope to the pulley and grasp it with an overhand grip. Your arms should be extended and parallel to the floor with the elbows flared out.
2. Keep your lower back upright and slide your hips back so that your knees are slightly bent. This will be your starting position.
3. Pull the cable attachment towards your upper chest, just below the neck, as you keep your elbows up and out to the sides. Continue this motion as you exhale until the elbows travel slightly behind the back. Tip: Keep your upper arms horizontal, perpendicular to the torso and parallel to the floor throughout the motion.
4. Go back to the initial position where the arms are extended and the shoulders are stretched forward. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

4. Bicep Curls

1. Stand up with your torso upright while holding a cable curl bar that is attached to a low pulley. Grab the cable bar at shoulder width and keep the elbows close to the torso. The palm of your hands should be facing up (supinated grip). This will be your starting position.
2. While holding the upper arms stationary, curl the weights while contracting the biceps as you breathe out. Only the forearms should move. Continue the movement until your biceps are fully contracted and the bar is at shoulder level. Hold the contracted position for a second as you squeeze the muscle.
3. Slowly begin to bring the curl bar back to starting position as your breathe in.
4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

5. Cable Curl Bar Rear Delt Rows

1. Sit in the same position on a low pulley row station as you would if you were doing seated cable rows for the back.
2. Attach a rope to the pulley and grasp it with an overhand grip. Your arms should be extended and parallel to the floor with the elbows flared out.
3. Keep your lower back upright and slide your hips back so that your knees are slightly bent. This will be your starting position.
4. Pull the cable attachment towards your upper chest, just below the neck, as you keep your elbows up and out to the sides. Continue this motion as you exhale until the elbows travel slightly behind the back. Tip: Keep your upper arms horizontal, perpendicular to the torso and parallel to the floor throughout the motion.
5. Go back to the initial position where the arms are extended and the shoulders are stretched forward. Inhale as you perform this portion of the movement.
6. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

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