Matt's Top 5 Must-Have Cable Attachments

Cable machines are a staple in any gym, providing a versatile and effective way to target various muscle groups. However, to get the most out of your cable workouts, it's important to have the right attachments. In this article, we'll discuss my top 5 cable attachments that will take your workouts to the next level.

Straight Bar Cable Handle

The straight bar cable handle is a versatile attachment that can be used for a variety of exercises, including biceps curls, triceps pushdowns, and upright rows. For me, the game-changer is incorporating Globe Gripz by adding them on to the straight bar cable handle, turning it into a versatile ergonomic cable handle. The configuration known as a "dog bone" is indeed a popular choice, allowing for a variety of hand positions and a great many exercises.

Triceps Rope

The triceps rope is a staple in any cable machine workout. This attachment allows you to target your triceps muscles with a variety of exercises, including tricep pushdowns and overhead tricep extensions. A longer rope allows for a greater range of motion and a more intense contraction of the triceps muscles, as well as making it suitable for more exercises, such as face pulls. Nylon ropes are most often used, as they're cheaper, but I much prefer and recommend getting a natural or synthetic hemp rope. The latter more expensive ropes are generally made longer, also.

Seated Row Cable Handle

The seated row cable handle is a versatile attachment that can be used for a variety of exercises, including seated rows and lat pulldowns. Steer clear of seated row cable handles with "ergonomic" rubber grips, as they'll tear off with continued heavy use on these exercises. A traditional Double-D style handle works well, or, I like a semi-supinated/ semi-pronated handle and use the way up which feels most comfortable for you. For example, my training partner uses a semi-pronated grip (palms slight down) and I use a semi-supinated grip (palms slightly up) and we simply swivel the handle between uses.

Lat Pulldown Bar

The lat pulldown bar is a classic attachment that is essential for targeting your back muscles in the lat pulldown exercise. This attachment allows you to perform exercises such as lat pulldowns, straight-arm pulldowns, and seated rows. The wide grip design of the bar allows for a greater range of motion and a more effective workout for your back muscles. I favour a wide (120cm) orthodox grip lat pulldown bar. If you have a lat attachment within a power rack though, go for a 100cm wide lat pulldown bar, otherwise, you'll be clanging against the uprights. If your elbows are not comfortable on an orthdox lat pulldown bar, adopt a parallel grip with either the above mentioned dog bone set up or a specific parallel grip lat pulldown bar.

Gentleman's Moustache Cable Handle

An old-school handle that's not very common these days, however, it feels great for biceps and triceps exercises, or even stiff-arm lat pulldowns, with it's curved design proving extremely comfortable.

Now for something completely different! Prime Ro-T8 Handles

This is your bonus cable handle, coming in at number 6, as I just thought I'd throw something different out there.

While Stirrup Handles didn't make my top 5 list, it's due to the fact that whenever I utilise them, I either incorporate Globe Gripz to an ordinary pair or interchange the stirrups for Ro-T8 handles that have a thumbless monkey grip. The Ro-T8 handle may not suit everyone's taste (most choose not to use it!) but as this is my list, I've included them as a bonus handle. Honestly, I don't use the rotate function, rather I prefer them to be fixed for Cable Crossovers/ Cable Flyes.

By incorporating my top 5 cable attachments into your workouts, and maybe even the bonus handles, you'll be able to target a variety of muscle groups and take your cable machine workouts to the next level. Have you tried any of these attachments? Let us know.

Matt