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Exercise guide
Cable Glute Kickback
A cable isolation exercise for the glutes, extending the hip back against constant resistance.
What this exercise works
- Muscles
- gluteus maximus · hamstrings
- Goals
- hypertrophy
- Equipment
- Cable machine
- Category
- Strength
- Difficulty
- intermediate
Demonstration
Step 1
Step 2
How to perform the movement
- Attach an ankle cuff to a low cable pulley and fasten it around one ankle.
- Stand facing the machine, holding the frame lightly for balance, and hinge slightly forward at the hips.
- Kick the cuffed leg straight back, extending the hip fully while keeping the knee nearly straight.
- Squeeze the glute at full hip extension, then return the foot slowly to the start.
- Complete all reps on one side before switching.
Technique cues and common mistakes
- Lead with the heel to maximize glute activation over hamstrings.
- Keep the hips square; avoid rotating the pelvis as the leg kicks back.
- The movement comes entirely from the hip — keep the back and torso still.