Core · Rotation and anti-rotation
Cable Torso Rotation
The Cable Torso Rotation mainly trains your obliques. Also working: abs.
One cable
Standing, light pull
How to do it
- Side-on to the machine, arms in front of your chest
- Rotate your torso away from the machine
- Arms stay in front of your breastbone, hips still
- Rotate back slowly: then switch sides
Coach’s tip
The rotation comes from your upper back. If your hands always stay in front of your breastbone, your arms can’t cheat.
Noticeably loads the lower back. If you tell DCFT that this joint bothers you, the app leaves exercises like this one out and picks a better supported alternative.
Setup
Pulley
Pulley at chest height
Grip
Single handle, both hands, arms almost straight
Load
One cable
You need
Single handles
Stability
Standing with a moderate load. Brace your core.
Alternatives
Other exercises for the same movement (rotation and anti-rotation). In DCFT you can swap with one tap, and the app only offers what your equipment allows.
Questions about this exercise
What muscles does the Cable Torso Rotation work?
Mainly the obliques. The abs help.
How do I set up the cable machine for the Cable Torso Rotation?
Pulley: Pulley at chest height. Grip: Single handle, both hands, arms almost straight.
What can I do instead of the Cable Torso Rotation?
For the same movement: Cable Wood Chop, Pallof Press and Kneeling Cable Wood Chop. In DCFT you swap with one tap.
DCFT
The Cable Torso Rotation in DCFT
In the app this exercise comes with your weight: the plate to pin, what you lifted last time and a rest timer that starts by itself.
Free on the App Store for iPhone. Pro is a one-time purchase with no subscription.