Bodybuilding With Cable Machines And Its Function

During the ’60s and ’70s, Cable Machines were rarely used. Most of the bodybuilders during that era used good old-fashioned heavy free weights barbells and dumbbells to put on muscle mass.

However, todays bodybuilders realize using only free weights is not enough to win championships. They understand that cable machines will help finish off a great physique by bringing out details and definition in the muscle.

Cable machines are a wonderful way to take your physique to the next level when used correctly. This article will talk about the correct and incorrect ways to use cable machines.

The Correct Way To Use Cable Machines

Virtually all of the free-weight, mass-building exercises for the larger muscle groups of the upper body requires other smaller muscles to engage in order for the movement to be accomplished. This takes some of the emphasis and focus off the larger muscle groups.

Use For Isolation

Cable machines on the other hand are great for isolating large muscle groups like the chest, back and shoulders so the smaller muscles are no longer needed to perform the exercise.

Here are some examples of exercises on the cable machines for chest, shoulders and back…

• Cable crossovers are great for isolating the chest
• Cable lateral raises are excellent for the shoulders
• Cable pull downs target the lats.

Use As A Finisher

Exercises on cable machines are great for finishing off a body part after first using the free weights. Waiting until the last set to use cables works well for burnouts. Using light weight and isolating the targeted muscle group will really get the blood flowing to the muscle.

The Incorrect Way To Use Cable Machines

When trying to build muscle mass, going heavy on the cable machines isn’t the best option. Leave the mass muscle building and strength gains to the heavy free weights and save the detailing until you’re further along in your bodybuilding development.

However there are exceptions, lat pull downs and cable rows are good for building muscle mass in your back.

Cable Machines Final Thought

When you want to bring out the definition in your muscles, high reps with light weight on cable machines is the way to go.

Henry Chervenka

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