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Last updated February 2, 2026
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shoulders
Face Pull - Standing (Cable: Rope)
Set the cable to eye level. Pull the rope towards your face, separating your hands. Rotate your forearms back. Great for posture and shoulder health.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mechanic
- Isolation
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- High
- Calorie Burn
- Low-Medium
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
rear shoulders
Secondary
rotator cuff (back)
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
cablerope
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Standing
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Attach a rope handle to a cable pulley at upper chest height.
- Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Step 2Grab the Rope
- With both hands, grasp the rope with an overhand grip, palms facing each other.
- Step back slightly to create tension in the cable while keeping your arms extended in front of you.
- Step 3Position Your Body
- Engage your core and maintain a slight bend in your knees.
- Keep your back straight and shoulders relaxed, avoiding any rounding.
- Step 4Pull the Rope
- Pull the rope towards your face by bending your elbows and keeping them high.
- As you pull, separate the ends of the rope, bringing your hands towards your ears.
- Step 5Squeeze and Hold
- At the peak of the movement, squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for a brief moment.
- Ensure your elbows are in line with your shoulders and not dropping down.
- Step 6Return to Start
- Slowly extend your arms back to the starting position, maintaining control of the movement.
- Keep your core engaged and avoid leaning back as you return.
- Step 7Repeat
- Repeat the pull and return for the desired number of repetitions, focusing on maintaining proper form throughout.
- Step 8Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully release the rope and step away from the cable machine.
- Make sure to maintain a straight posture as you finish.