Exercises › Cable face pull

Cable face pull

Set a rope attachment at face height and pull it toward your eyes, elbows high and wide. Pause briefly with your upper back squeezed.

StrengthMachinesDifficulty 1 of 3

Two-panel demonstration of the cable face pull, showing the start and finish positions — Start and finish positions

How to do it

Set a rope attachment at face height and pull it toward your eyes, elbows high and wide. Pause briefly with your upper back squeezed.

Muscles worked

Front

Back

shouldersprimary
upper back

Hover a muscle to find it on the figure. Dark green is the primary mover, lighter green is supporting work.

Other options in this pattern

Lateral raisedumbbells · difficulty 1/3
Kettlebell halokettlebells · difficulty 2/3
Dumbbell diagonal raisedumbbells · difficulty 2/3
Dumbbell front raisedumbbells · difficulty 1/3

How many sets should you do?

That depends on your goal, your ability, and how many days you train. Answer three questions and the builder works out your sets and reps, plus a full week around them.

Get my sets and reps

Johnny Milaychev · Product manager and self-directed lifter, not a trainer or a clinician. Why that matters and where this guidance stops.
Reviewed 16 August 2026 · Exercise library v2.2