Why You Should Workout With Cable Machines

If you regularly lift weights, chances are you have mastered dumbbells and barbells. However, you have probably overlooked one of my favorite sections on the gym floor… the cable machines. If you are looking for a quick, total body workout that allows you to stay in one place, you need to workout with cable machines!

If you do not workout at a gym, cable machine exercises can be done at home with resistance bands. I share resistance band workouts often on the MFit YouTube channel. I’ve also created two different mini band workout programs! Check them out if you are interested!

Resistance band exercises and cable machine workouts share similar benefits. Let’s talk about those benefits.

Safer to use

Cable machine and resistance band workouts result in less injuries. Working out with free weights can be dangerous if you do not have control over the weight. There is always a chance a weight can be dropped on a foot. There is also a possibility you may also hurt your back trying to pick it up a weight that is too heavy. To avoid these possible accidents, workout with cables and bands.

Challenges the muscles

Dumbbell exercises stimulate the muscles differently than band and cable movements. When you hold onto a dumbbell, you feel the heaviness of the weight instantly. That heaviness stays the same as you move the weight around. However, when you use a band or cable, the resistance gets heavier as you move deeper into the exercise. This makes bicep curls harder at the top of the curl and rows more challenging when you pull further back. You can also more easily control the tempo of an exercise when you workout with cable machines. Doing that will feel different to the muscles as well!

Saves you time

Setting up a cable machine is much quicker and easier than messing with free weights. Moving plates on and off a barbell is time consuming. Just as searching the gym for a matching set of dumbbells can take forever. Changing resistance and cable height on a cable machine takes seconds. You can also do a wide range of exercises with a cable machine, so you could do your whole workout in one place without having to move around the gym.

Effective cardio solution

I personally love using the cable machine for total body cardio routines. The versatility the tool provides makes for a fast and effective workout.