TETSUBand One Arm Twisting Seated Row vs Cable Seated Row
The Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row and the Cable Seated Row both train the upper back as their primary muscle. The Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row uses a band while the Cable Seated Row uses a cable. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row | Cable Seated Row | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | upper back | upper back |
| Body part | back | back |
| Supporting muscles | biceps and shoulders | biceps and forearms |
| Equipment | band | cable |
| Steps in our guide | 6 | 5 |
How each one starts
Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row — first steps
- Sit on a bench or chair with your feet flat on the ground and your back straight.
- Hold the band with one hand and extend your arm fully in front of you.
Cable Seated Row — first steps
- Sit on the cable row machine with your feet flat on the footrests and your knees slightly bent.
- Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, keeping your back straight and your shoulders relaxed.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row gives accommodating resistance that peaks at the top of the range. The Cable Seated Row keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the upper back adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row better than the Cable Seated Row?
Neither is universally better — both train the upper back as the primary mover. The Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row gives accommodating resistance that peaks at the top of the range, while the Cable Seated Row keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.
Can I do both the Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row and the Cable Seated Row in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the upper back. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.
Do the Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row and the Cable Seated Row work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the upper back. Supporting muscles differ slightly — biceps and shoulders for the Band One Arm Twisting Seated Row versus biceps and forearms for the Cable Seated Row.
Track it in Tetsu
Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.