Cable Wood Chopper

A diagonal rotation pattern with resistance; it trains the obliques in a functional plane.

• Isolation
• Cable
• Beginner

How to do it

• High pulley at one side, pull diagonally to the opposite thigh
• Rotate from your trunk, arms almost straight
• Control the return

Sets, reps and tempo

Ranges: 8–15 reps or 20–45 s under tension · 1–2 RIR

Tempo: Slow, controlled movement; no momentum and no bouncing

Common mistakes

• Pulling only with your arms
• Rotating from your lower back instead of your rib cage

Muscles worked

Primary

• Core / abs

Secondary

• Shoulders

Alternatives

• Pallof Press (anti-rotation)
• Russian Twist