Illustration of back exercises using a cable machine.Great list of back exercises you can do using a cable pulley machine.

Wide-Grip Pronated Cable Row

Cable Back Exercises

Start: Attach a short straight bar to the low pulley, and set a pair of 45-pound weight plates on the floor to either side of the pulley. Grab the bar with a false, overhand, shoulder-width grip. Sit on the floor about 2 ½ feet in front of the low pulley, with your arms straight, your feet braced against the weight plates, ad your torso erect.

Finish: Start the movement by pinching your shoulder blades together in back, then pull the bar to the lower part of your sternum. Keep your elbows up. Pause, then slowly return to the starting position.

Use a wider grip to shorten your range of motion, shifting more work to your lats and taking some from your arms.

Unilateral Cable Row

Cable Back Exercises

Start: Attach a stirrup handle t the low pulley. Grab it overhand with your nondominant hand and sit in the same position as for the supinated and pronated cable rows. Place your free hand on your thigh or on the floor next to you for balance.

Finish: Pull the handle to the lower side of your rib cage, keeping your elbow out away from your body and your torso stationary. Pause, then slowly return to the starting position. Finish the set with that arm before repeating with the other arm.

Supinated-Grip Unilateral Cable Row

Cable Back Exercises

Start: Attach a stirrup handle t the low pulley. Grab it overhand with your nondominant hand and sit in the same position as for the supinated and pronated cable rows. Place your free hand on your thigh or on the floor next to you for balance.

Finish: Pull the handle to the lower side of your rib cage, keeping your elbow out away from your body and your torso stationary. Pause, then slowly return to the starting position. Finish the set with that arm before repeating with the other arm.

Hold the handle underhand, and keep your elbow close to your rib cage as you pull back the handle.

Neutral-Grip Unilateral CableRow

Cable Back Exercises

Start: Attach a stirrup handle t the low pulley. Grab it overhand with your nondominant hand and sit in the same position as for the supinated and pronated cable rows. Place your free hand on your thigh or on the floor next to you for balance.

Finish: Pull the handle to the lower side of your rib cage, keeping your elbow out away from your body and your torso stationary. Pause, then slowly return to the starting position. Finish the set with that arm before repeating with the other arm.

Hold the handle so your palm faces sideways. Your elbow will be between your shoulder and waist as you pull back the handle.

Standing Unilateral High Row

Cable Back Exercises

Start: Attach a stirrup handle to the high pulley. With your nondominant hand, grab the handle with an overhand grip. Face the weight stack with your opposite leg slightly bent and a foot or two in front of your nondominant leg. Position yourself so your working arm and the cable form a straight line.

Finish: Pull the handle straight down and back until it reaches your chest and your elbow if behind your torso. Pause then slowly return to the starting position. Finish the set with that arm, then repeat with the other.