Legs · Cable
Cable Kickbacks
How to do the cable kickbacks, the muscles it works, and the mistakes to avoid. Pulled straight from the Kovo app's exercise library.
- Equipment
- Cable
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Logged as
- Weighted reps
- Movement
- Extension
- Mechanic
- Isolation
See it in motion
How to do it
Attach cable to ankle, extend leg backward in a controlled motion, focusing on glute contraction.
- 1Feel your glute contracting as you extend your leg back against the cable
- 2Keep your torso steady and core engaged
- 3Pause at the end to maximize activation
Common mistakes
- Avoid swinging your leg or using momentum
- Don't arch your lower back; hinge at the hips
- Avoid rotating your foot outward; keep toes pointed down
Muscles worked
The cable kickbacks mainly works the glutes, with the hamstrings and lower back assisting.
- GlutesPrimary
- HamstringsSupport
- Lower BackSupport
Kovo programs the cable kickbacks for you and tracks it every session.
The AI builds your whole program, drops the right lifts into each workout, and adjusts your weights as you get stronger. Free on iOS and Android.
More glutes exercises
- How to do the barbell hip thrust
- How to do the curtsy lunge
- How to do the barbell deadlift
- How to do the resistance band glute bridges
- How to do the machine hip abduction
- How to do the leverage machine hip thrust
Last reviewed April 2026.