7 Cable Exercises for a Shredded Six-Pack

Cable exercises are often underutilized as a way to train your abs and obliques. However, neglecting to include them can be a major mistake as they are an extremely beneficial tool when it comes to building a six-pack.  Cable exercises are important because they allow you to apply additional resistance to your core muscles, which further stimulates lean muscle development.[i] If you want to sculpt a well-defined six-pack, cable exercises should be integrated into your training routine!

Perform the following 8 cable exercises 2 to 3 days per week to build a chiseled set of six-pack abs:

Oblique Twist

1. Stand next to the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and grab the handle with both hands.
2. Pull the rope in front of you and across your body while simultaneously rotating your torso in the same direction.
3. Reverse the motion and return to the starting position.
4. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions and then perform on the other side of your body.

Oblique Side Bend

1. Stand next to the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart, and grab the handle with one hand and extend your arm downward.
2. Keep your arm straight as you push the handle down by leaning to the side using your oblique muscles.
3. Reverse the motion and return to the starting position.
4. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions and then perform on the other side of your body.

Wood Chop

1. Stand next to the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and grab the handle with both hands.
2. Keep your arms straight as you pull the handle down and across your body while simultaneously rotating your torso in the same direction as you pivot on the ball of your back foot.
3. Reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.
4. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions and then perform on the other side of your body.

Reverse Wood Chop

1. Stand next to the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and grab the handle with both hands.
2. Keep your arms straight as you pull the handle up and across your body while simultaneously rotating your torso in the same direction.
3. Reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.
4. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions and then perform on the other side of your body.

Standing Side-to-Side Cable Crunch

1. Hold the rope in each hand as you stand in an upright position.
2. Use your abdominal muscles to pull your body to the right and toward the ground.
3. Pause, and then reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.
4. Use your abdominal muscles to pull your body to the left and toward the ground.
5. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions.

Kneeling Cable Crunch

1. Hold the rope in each hand as you kneel in an upright position.
2. Use your abdominal muscles to pull your body toward the ground.
3. Pause, and then reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.
4. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions.

Full Extension Cable Crunch

1. Lie on the ground with your feet facing away from the cable machine.
2. Extend your arms back to grab the rope with both hands and extend your legs out while keeping them just above the ground.
3. Use your abdominal muscles to pull the rope in toward your feet while simultaneously bringing your knees toward your hands.
4. Pause, and then reverse the motion and return to the starting position in a slow and controlled manner.
5. Repeat for your desired number of repetitions.

Do you want more workouts and fitness related tips? Click the button below and submit your email to subscribe to LIVING HEALTHY!

[i] https://www.unm.edu/~lkravitz/Article%20folder/abdominal.html