The rope cable attachments are versatile, adaptable and very resourceful. If you are looking to gain maximum muscle mass then rope cable attachments are the way to go. The rope cable also gives you free movement and will allow for full range of motion. With that said, you can go further with the rope than with a normal straight bar as you will recruit additional muscle fibres during your weight training, which leads to so much more power. With the rope cable attachment, you can perform exercises unilaterally by using the one end of the rope. You can even add a twist at the end of an exercise to give it more intensity.
Why training with rope cable attachments can be excellent for muscle activation
How to use the rope cable attachments correctly
When we want to move into targeted, single joint exercise (like bicep curls or shoulder raises), the cable station is definitely under-utilised. The cable offers substantial benefits as compared to dumbbells and barbells. Mike Everett lists some of these: “The cable machines are easy to use, and provide you proper technique and form. You can isolate one muscle at a time for an intense workout. Cable machines allow you a fluid movement with proper form through the full range of motion.” However, the biggest benefit is the continuous tension during the entire range of motion. If we had to take an arm curl, for example, if you were doing them with dumbbells the resistance provided would be the gravitational pull of the dumbbells towards the ground.
The force of the resistance is perpendicular to the ground during the entire movement. The resistance on the arm muscles (flexors) will be at a maximum when the arm is at 90 degrees but will decrease when the arm flexes – or extends – past this point. When compared with a cable (pulley), the resistance is constant throughout the entire exercise motion. The angle of resistance is switched from the gravitational pull of the weight to that of the cable pulley, which is more aligned to the exercise movement.
The benefits of using a rope attachments with the cable pulley
The rope attachment offers a great level of resourcefulness when it comes to using a cable pulley. The rope is also an amazing option for bodybuilders who suffer from wrist and forearm injuries because this piece of equipment offers a greater level of freedom when compared to a straight handle attachment. Some examples of exercises that can be done using a rope cable attachment include straight arm pull-downs, tricep push-downs, hammer curls, overhead triceps extensions, rows, front raises, supinated curls, straight arm pull-downs as well as abdominal cable crunches.
If you think you could make a successful career out of your passion for exercise (and help others get the endorphin rush they need), sign up for Trifocus Fitness Academy’s Personal Training Certification. Find out more here.