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Cable Crossover

A standing cable fly that crosses the hands at the bottom for a long, constant-tension chest contraction.

ChestCableChest fly
GoLightWeight mediacable-crossover

Demonstration coming soon

Primary

Pectoralis major

Secondary

Anterior deltoidsBicepsCore

Equipment

Cable

Pattern

Chest fly

Setup

  1. 01Set both pulleys above shoulder height and grab a handle in each hand.
  2. 02Step forward into a split stance so the cables are loaded behind you.
  3. 03Lean the torso slightly forward with a soft bend in the elbows.

Execution

  1. 01Sweep both handles down and across the body in a wide arc.
  2. 02Bring the hands together, or slightly crossed, in front of the hips or lower chest.
  3. 03Squeeze the pecs hard for a second at the point of contact.
  4. 04Let the arms travel back and up under control until you feel a chest stretch.

Checkpoints

  • -Elbow angle stays fixed; the movement is an arc, not a press.
  • -Torso angle stays constant instead of bobbing with each rep.
  • -Shoulder blades stay set back rather than rolling forward at the finish.
  • -Full stretch at the top without letting the weight yank the shoulders.

Common mistakes

  • -Bending and straightening the elbows so it becomes a press.
  • -Using so much weight that the torso swings forward.
  • -Stopping short of the crossover and losing the peak contraction.
  • -Shrugging the shoulders toward the ears as the hands come together.

Programming notes

  • -Use 3 to 4 sets of 10 to 15 reps as a finisher after pressing work.
  • -Progress by adding reps and slowing the eccentric before adding weight.
  • -Change pulley height across blocks to bias upper, middle, or lower chest.

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