Cable Torso Rotation

Also known as: cable twist

In SetGrip: Cable Rotation

Secondary muscles
Obliques
Body part
Core
Laterality
Bilateral (both sides together)
Category
Strength

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The cable torso rotation is a standing core exercise: side-on to a chest-high pulley, you hold the handle with both arms long and turn your torso away from the machine, then return under control. Your hips and feet stay still. It works the abs, with the obliques assisting.

How to do the Cable Torso Rotation

  1. Set a pulley at chest height and stand side-on to it, feet shoulder-width apart.
  2. Hold the handle with both hands in front of your chest, arms almost straight.
  3. Turn your torso away from the machine, keeping your hips facing forward and your arms in front of your chest.
  4. Return slowly to the start, finish the set, then switch sides.

Muscles worked

Primary

Abs · Core

Secondary

  • Obliques

Common mistakes

  • Pulling with the arms — your arms stay long and in front of your chest; the turn comes from your torso.
  • Spinning on your feet — keep your hips and feet still so the obliques do the turning, not your legs.
  • Letting the weight swing you back — control the return; the cable should never pull you around.

Where it fits in a workout

Use it at the end of a session or as core work between lower-body sets.

How many sets, how heavy and how hard: see what the ACSM position stands support.

Logging the Cable Torso Rotation in SetGrip

SetGrip logs the Cable Torso Rotation as weight and reps. Log each side as its own set, or note in the routine that reps are per side.

Variations and alternatives

Similar exercises

Without cable

Easier and harder

When to talk to someone

  • Chest discomfort, feeling faint or lightheaded, or trouble breathing during or after exercise can be signs of a heart attack. In the US, call 911 right away; elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
  • Heart, metabolic or kidney disease, or symptoms like these when you are active: talk to your doctor before you start or step up training.
  • Pregnant: ask your obstetric care provider which exercise suits you.

Track the Cable Torso Rotation in SetGrip

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More exercises

Sources

  1. ACSM position stand on exercise quantity and quality (Garber et al., 2011)
  2. ACSM preparticipation health screening (Riebe et al., 2015)
  3. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 804 on exercise in pregnancy (2020)
  4. CDC: About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery (2024)

Sources checked on October 17, 2026. Full citations are in the exercise library.

Animation and exercise data: ExerciseDB, licensed to SetGrip. Text: SetGrip. General information, not medical or coaching advice.