Core · Cable
Cable Reverse Woodchop
How to do the cable reverse woodchop, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Cable
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Rotation
- Mechanic
- Isolation
How to do it
Attach a handle to a low cable. Stand sideways to the machine with feet shoulder-width apart and grasp the handle with both hands near the hip closest to the stack. With arms mostly straight, pull the handle diagonally up and across your body toward the opposite shoulder, rotating your torso as you go. Lower under control and repeat, then switch sides.
- 1Feel your obliques and core drive the cable up and across your body
- 2Rotate through your torso and hips for a smooth low-to-high chop
- 3Keep your arms extended so the work comes from your trunk
Common mistakes
- Don't pull with just your arms or let your shoulders take over
- Don't twist through your knees; pivot from the hips
- Don't overarch your back as you reach the top
Muscles worked
The cable reverse woodchop mainly works the obliques, upper abs, and lower abs, with the forearms and lats assisting.
- ObliquesPrimary
- Upper AbsPrimary
- Lower AbsPrimary
- ForearmsSupport
- LatsSupport
- Upper TrapsMinor
- QuadsMinor
- GlutesMinor
- Front DeltsMinor
- Side DeltsMinor
Kovo programs the cable reverse woodchop for you and tracks it every session.
We build your whole program, drop the right lifts into each workout, and adjust your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More abs & core exercises
- How to do the ab wheel rollout
- How to do the ankle tap plank
- How to do the ankle taps
- How to do the resistance band dead bugs
- How to do the resistance band pallof press
- How to do the rollout
Last reviewed June 2026.