Cable Deadlifts

What it is

This movement is a compound pulling exercise performed with a cable machine. You initiate the lift by squatting down to grasp the handles, then extend your hips and knees to return to a standing position. It primarily targets your quadriceps, while also engaging your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back.

Technique tips

• Maintain a neutral spine throughout the entire range of motion.
• Drive powerfully through your heels as you extend to stand tall.
• Keep your chest lifted and shoulders pulled back, not rounded.
• Control the weight during the eccentric, or lowering, phase.
• Engage your core muscles to support your lower back.
• Focus on feeling your quadriceps activate at the top.

How to track your progress

Log the weight and reps of each set. Straddly turns every set into an estimated one-rep max, so a heavier single and a strong set of eight both count as progress, and it flags a personal record the moment you beat your best.