Back Exercise · Cable

Expand

Cable Standing Row (v-Bar)

Category

Back

Equipment

Cable

Target

Upper Back

Share

A V-bar on a standing cable row narrows the grip and keeps the palms facing each other, concentrating the pull through the mid-back and lats with a shorter, more controlled range than a wide-grip row. Standing rather than seated adds a mild core-stability demand, since there's no bench to lean back against. Driving the elbows straight back, not just pulling with the arms, is what keeps this a back exercise.

How to Do the Cable Standing Row (v-Bar)

1. Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
2. Grip the v-bar attachment overhand, palms facing down.
3. Keep your back straight and your core braced.
4. Pull the v-bar toward your body, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
5. Pause briefly at the peak of the movement, then slowly release the tension and return to the starting position.
6. Repeat for your target rep goal, keeping your core engaged and avoiding any reliance on momentum.

Muscles Worked

The Cable Standing Row (v-Bar) primarily targets the Upper Back, with Biceps as the primary synergist muscle group, along with the Shoulders.

More Back Exercises

Alternate Lateral Pulldown Cable · Lats Archer Pull Up Body Weight · Lats Assisted Parallel Close Grip Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Assisted Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Assisted Standing Chin-Up Leverage Machine · Lats Assisted Standing Pull-Up Leverage Machine · Lats

More Upper Back Exercises

Back Lever Body Weight · Upper Back Band One Arm Standing Low Row Band · Upper Back Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row Band · Upper Back Barbell Bent Over Row Barbell · Upper Back Barbell Incline Row Barbell · Upper Back Barbell One Arm Bent Over Row Barbell · Upper Back

Equipment Alternatives

Don't have cable? These target the same upper back with different equipment.

Back Lever Body Weight · Upper Back Band One Arm Standing Low Row Band · Upper Back Barbell Bent Over Row Barbell · Upper Back Dumbbell Bent Over Row Dumbbell · Upper Back

FAQ

What muscles does the Cable Standing Row (v-Bar) work?

The Cable Standing Row (v-Bar) primarily targets the upper back, with the biceps and shoulders assisting.

What equipment do I need for the Cable Standing Row (v-Bar)?

The Cable Standing Row (v-Bar) is done with a cable.

What's a good alternative to the Cable Standing Row (v-Bar)?

If you don't have access to a cable, the Back Lever targets the same upper back using body weight instead.