The Cable Standing Low To High Wood Chopper is a intermediate-friendly cable strength exercise that targets the abdominals, with the abdominals working alongside. Here's how to do it right — and what to stop doing.
Primary musclesAbs
Secondary musclesAbs
EquipmentCable
LevelIntermediate
TypeStrength
3D demo in the EGON app
01 Execution
How to do the Cable Standing Low To High Wood Chopper
Set the pulley to the lowest position and attach a single handle, then stand sideways to the cable stack.
Grip the handle with both hands and stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent.
Brace your core and start with the handle near the hip closest to the stack, arms extended.
Rotate your torso and pull the handle up and across your body to overhead on the opposite side.
Pivot the back foot and let the hips follow the rotation, finishing with arms extended overhead.
Reverse the path slowly back to the starting position over 2 to 3 seconds, then repeat for 10 reps per side.
02 The payoff
Why it earns its spot
Builds rotational power through the obliques and full midsection.
Trains hip-to-shoulder energy transfer used in throwing and striking sports.
Strengthens the core in a standing, sport-relevant pattern.
03 Don't do this
Common mistakes
Pulling with the arms instead of rotating from the core, which kills the oblique engagement.
Keeping the feet locked flat, which blocks the hips and forces the lower back to take over the rotation.
Rushing the descent and letting the cable yank the handle back instead of controlling the return.
Loading too heavy and rounding the lower back at the top, which risks spinal strain.
EGON Put it on record
Track it in EGON.
Log every set of the Cable Standing Low To High Wood Chopper, get your PRs detected automatically, earn aura for the work — and climb five leagues of statues, from Stone to Ego.
