Best Beginner Arms Workouts With Cable Machines

About

Cables offer unique advantages for resistance training, allowing adjustments in movement direction and dynamic muscle engagement.

Beginners, with less than one year of experience, will benefit from simple, lower-risk exercises tailored to facilitate learning proper forms while providing an effective challenge.

This workout targets the primary muscle groups of the arms: shoulders, biceps, triceps, and forearms.

Utilizing cable pulls with adjustable weight ensures exercises can be adapted to individual needs and fitness levels.

The 15 Best Beginner Arms Exercises with Cable Machines

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Cable Lateral Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    1,978,112
    Shoulders Strength
    97 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    The Cable Lateral Raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the middle deltoid muscle. Using a cable machine allows for better control and can help identify strength differences between your left and right sides.

    How to do it

    The Cable Lateral Raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the middle deltoid muscle. Using a cable machine allows for better control and can help identify strength differences between your left and right sides.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 2. Cable Rear Delt Fly

    SETS LOGGED
    645,918
    Shoulders Strength
    82 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Crossover Cable
    Crossover Cable

    The Cable Rear Delt Fly targets the rear shoulders to improve your shoulder balance and posture. Using a cable machine allows for better muscle activation with constant tension. This exercise also strengthens the upper back and helps correct shoulder imbalances.

    How to do it

    The Cable Rear Delt Fly targets the rear shoulders to improve your shoulder balance and posture. Using a cable machine allows for better muscle activation with constant tension. This exercise also strengthens the upper back and helps correct shoulder imbalances.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 3. Cable Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    164,564
    Shoulders Strength
    77 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Crossover Cable
    Crossover Cable

    The Cable Shoulder Press is an exercise that strengthens your shoulder muscles, especially the front and middle parts. Using cables keeps tension on the muscles, improving stability and control during the movement.

    How to do it

    The Cable Shoulder Press is an exercise that strengthens your shoulder muscles, especially the front and middle parts. Using cables keeps tension on the muscles, improving stability and control during the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 4. Freemotion Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    95,615
    Shoulders Strength
    82 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Freemotion Machine (all forms)
    Freemotion Machine (all forms)

    The Freemotion Shoulder Press is a beginner-friendly exercise that targets your shoulder muscles. Using a Freemotion machine helps you maintain stability, making it easier to control your movements and focus on your form.

    How to do it

    The Freemotion Shoulder Press is a beginner-friendly exercise that targets your shoulder muscles. Using a Freemotion machine helps you maintain stability, making it easier to control your movements and focus on your form.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 5. Behind the Back Cable Lateral Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    169,594
    Shoulders Strength
    80 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    The Behind the Back Cable Lateral Raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the lateral head to enhance shoulder width and definition. The cable setup helps create constant tension, giving you a different movement experience compared to dumbbells.

    How to do it

    The Behind the Back Cable Lateral Raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the lateral head to enhance shoulder width and definition. The cable setup helps create constant tension, giving you a different movement experience compared to dumbbells.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    10lbs
    2
    8reps
    10lbs
    3
    8reps
    10lbs
  • 6. Cable Front Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    178,281
    Shoulders Strength
    86 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    The Cable Front Raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the front deltoids while providing consistent resistance using a cable machine. This helps build shoulder strength and definition while also engaging the core for stability.

    How to do it

    The Cable Front Raise is a shoulder exercise that targets the front deltoids while providing consistent resistance using a cable machine. This helps build shoulder strength and definition while also engaging the core for stability.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 7. Cable Preacher Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    230,299
    Biceps Strength
    85 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Photo of Preacher Curl Bench
    Preacher Curl Bench

    The Cable Preacher Curl is an exercise that specifically builds your biceps. By using a preacher curl bench, your arms are stabilized, preventing any movement that could reduce the effectiveness of the lift. A cable machine enables a consistent tension throughout the exercise.

    How to do it

    The Cable Preacher Curl is an exercise that specifically builds your biceps. By using a preacher curl bench, your arms are stabilized, preventing any movement that could reduce the effectiveness of the lift. A cable machine enables a consistent tension throughout the exercise.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 8. Cable Tricep Pushdown

    SETS LOGGED
    3,225,406
    Triceps Strength
    96 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    The Cable Tricep Pushdown is an exercise that works the triceps, the muscles at the back of your arms. Using a flat bar allows you to keep your palms facing down, helping to stabilize your wrists as you perform the move.

    How to do it

    The Cable Tricep Pushdown is an exercise that works the triceps, the muscles at the back of your arms. Using a flat bar allows you to keep your palms facing down, helping to stabilize your wrists as you perform the move.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 9. Cable Bicep Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    1,964,708
    Biceps Strength
    93 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    The Cable Bicep Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the biceps using a cable machine. It allows you to maintain tension on your muscles throughout the movement, which is great for building muscle mass.

    How to do it

    The Cable Bicep Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the biceps using a cable machine. It allows you to maintain tension on your muscles throughout the movement, which is great for building muscle mass.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 10. Overhead Cable Bicep Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    158,906
    Biceps Strength
    80 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    The Overhead Cable Bicep Curl is an exercise that strengthens your biceps using cable resistance from an overhead position. This movement keeps constant tension on the biceps, helping to build muscle and improve their shape. It's great for beginners wanting to focus on arm definition.

    How to do it

    The Overhead Cable Bicep Curl is an exercise that strengthens your biceps using cable resistance from an overhead position. This movement keeps constant tension on the biceps, helping to build muscle and improve their shape. It's great for beginners wanting to focus on arm definition.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 11. Single Arm High Cable Tricep Extension

    SETS LOGGED
    352,773
    Triceps Strength
    85 mScore
    Triceps
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    The Single Arm High Cable Tricep Extension targets the triceps for better arm definition. Using the cable machine allows for a full stretch of the tricep muscles, promoting growth and strength.

    How to do it

    The Single Arm High Cable Tricep Extension targets the triceps for better arm definition. Using the cable machine allows for a full stretch of the tricep muscles, promoting growth and strength.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs
  • 12. Cable Rope Hammer Curls

    SETS LOGGED
    151,374
    Biceps Strength
    74 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    Cable Rope Hammer Curls are a great exercise for strengthening your biceps and forearms using a cable machine. They help build arm size and enhance grip strength while keeping your palms facing each other for a unique variation of standard curls.

    How to do it

    Cable Rope Hammer Curls are a great exercise for strengthening your biceps and forearms using a cable machine. They help build arm size and enhance grip strength while keeping your palms facing each other for a unique variation of standard curls.

  • 13. Single Arm Cable Bicep Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    568,348
    Biceps Strength
    83 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    The Single Arm Cable Bicep Curl focuses on strengthening your biceps using one arm at a time. This helps equalize strength between both arms and engages your core for better posture.

    How to do it

    The Single Arm Cable Bicep Curl focuses on strengthening your biceps using one arm at a time. This helps equalize strength between both arms and engages your core for better posture.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    17.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    17.5lbs
  • 14. Behind the Back Cable Bicep Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    248,439
    Biceps Strength
    84 mScore
    Biceps
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Photo of Rope Cable
    Rope Cable

    The Behind the Back Cable Bicep Curl targets your biceps by using a unique angle for better contraction and muscle growth. This exercise helps improve the look of your arms and builds strength effectively.

    How to do it

    The Behind the Back Cable Bicep Curl targets your biceps by using a unique angle for better contraction and muscle growth. This exercise helps improve the look of your arms and builds strength effectively.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    15lbs
    2
    8reps
    15lbs
    3
    8reps
    15lbs
  • 15. Cable Shoulder External Rotation

    SETS LOGGED
    201,242
    Shoulders Strength
    71 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Hi-Lo Pulley Cable
    Hi-Lo Pulley Cable

    The Cable Shoulder External Rotation is a simple exercise that strengthens the rotator cuff muscles, helping to stabilize the shoulder and prevent injuries. Using a cable machine allows for controlled movements, making it great for rehabilitation and fitness improvement.

    How to do it

    The Cable Shoulder External Rotation is a simple exercise that strengthens the rotator cuff muscles, helping to stabilize the shoulder and prevent injuries. Using a cable machine allows for controlled movements, making it great for rehabilitation and fitness improvement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    12.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    12.5lbs

Alternative Workouts

Alternative Beginner Workouts with Cable Machines

Alternative Beginner Arms Workouts

Alternative Arms Workouts with Cable Machines