In order to understand what muscles does a rowing machine work it s important to know that as we mentioned above there are 4 different parts of the rowing stroke.
Cable row machine muscles worked.
Although the exercise is mainly a latissimus dorsi dominant movement several other back muscles are also worked at the same time including.
The seated cable row develops the muscles of the back and the forearms.
You can use a lever or cable based machine as well as a resistance band to complete the exercise.
The trapezius muscles the erector spinae rear deltoids biceps biceps.
It is an excellent all around compound exercise for developing mainly the middle back while offering useful arm work as well.
Before getting started adjust the seat and chest pad.
The cable row is one of the best cable exercises around and very neatly demonstrates the edge this machine has over free weights because throughout the row movement you work against the same.
Seated rows are typically done on a seated row machine or a seated cable row machine and the instructions for using each are almost the same.
The seated row targets almost all of the muscles of the back.
Which one you choose will not affect how the upper body is worked but does affect which lower body.
At each stage your body is in a different position and as such there are different muscles being engaged.