Muscle BuildingShouldersCable Machine90 MinutesBeginner

90 Minutes Beginner Shoulders Workout with Cable Machine

A 90 minutes muscle building workout targeting your shoulders using cable machine equipment. 6 exercises, 21 total sets, designed for beginner lifters.

90 Minutes

Duration

21

Total Sets

8-12 reps

Rep Range

~1103

Est. Calories

The Workout

1
Cable Upright Row
4 sets x 6-8 reps|Rest: 60-90 seconds
intermediate

Start with this as your primary movement. Warm up with 2 lighter sets first.

Form cues
  • Attach a straight bar or EZ bar to a low cable pulley and stand close to the machine.
  • Grip the bar with hands slightly narrower than shoulder width.
  • Pull the bar up along your body until your elbows reach shoulder height.
2
Face Pull
4 sets x 6-8 reps|Rest: 60-90 seconds
beginner

Set a cable at face height with a rope attachment.

Form cues
  • Set a cable at face height with a rope attachment.
  • Pull the rope toward your face, splitting it apart as you pull.
  • Externally rotate your hands so your knuckles point toward the ceiling at the end.
3
Single-Arm Cable Lateral Raise
3 sets x 8-12 reps|Rest: 60-90 seconds
intermediate

Stand sideways to a low cable, grab the handle with the far hand across your body.

Form cues
  • Stand sideways to a low cable, grab the handle with the far hand across your body.
  • Lean slightly away from the cable stack for an even tension curve.
  • Raise your arm out to the side until it reaches shoulder height, leading with the elbow.
4
Cable Lateral Raise
3 sets x 8-12 reps|Rest: 60-90 seconds
beginner

Stand sideways to a low cable, holding the handle in the far hand.

Form cues
  • Stand sideways to a low cable, holding the handle in the far hand.
  • Raise your arm out to the side until it is parallel with the floor.
  • Lead with your elbow and keep a slight bend throughout.
5
Cable Face Pull with External Rotation
4 sets x 6-8 reps|Rest: 60-90 seconds
intermediate

Set a cable with rope attachment at upper chest height.

Form cues
  • Set a cable with rope attachment at upper chest height.
  • Pull the rope toward your face, splitting the ends apart as your elbows reach shoulder height.
  • Rotate your fists upward until your arms form a goal-post position overhead.
6
Seated Shoulder Press Machine
3 sets x 8-12 reps|Rest: 60-90 seconds
beginner

Finish strong — take the last set close to failure.

Form cues
  • Adjust the seat so the handles are at shoulder height.
  • Grip the handles with a comfortable width.
  • Press overhead to full extension.

Why This Workout Works

This workout is built around the principles of muscle building training. Use moderate loads (65-80% of your 1RM) with controlled eccentrics and full range of motion. Prioritize progressive overload by adding reps before adding weight. Train each muscle group 2x per week with 10-20 hard sets per muscle per week.

Training Parameters

  • Rep Range: 8-12 repsthe hypertrophy sweet spot for maximum muscle growth
  • Rest Periods: 60-90 secondslong enough for quality reps, short enough for metabolic stress
  • Sets Per Exercise: 3-4 sets — optimized for muscle building

Shoulders Training Tips

  • *Most lifters over-train the front delt and neglect the rear delt — prioritize face pulls and reverse flyes.
  • *Lateral raises work best with lighter weight and strict form — no swinging.
  • *Press overhead with a slight forward lean to keep the bar path over your center of gravity.

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