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Cable Crossover

Chest Tier S for Chest Cable Isolation Push
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3sets
12-15reps
60srest
~4.3kcal/min

How to do it

Muscles worked

Secondary
ShouldersBiceps

Secondary muscles help but are not the main target

See the full tier list · Chest

Feel it right

Where you should feel it, the one cue to remember, and quick fixes when you feel it somewhere else.

You should feel it inChest

A wide stretch across the chest as the arms open, then a squeeze like hugging a big tree.

Key cue (the coach says it during the set)“Soft elbows, hug a big tree.”

Tempo · Open 3 s · squeeze 1 s

Choosing the load: Pick a weight you finish with 1–2 good reps left. 4+ left = too light; form breaks = too heavy.

Feel it somewhere else? Fix it like this

  • Feel it in ShouldersGoing too deep or too heavy. Stop when the arms line up with the chest and use lighter weights.
  • Feel it in Front of armsElbows bending and turning it into a press. Lock a slight bend and move only at the shoulders.
  • Barely felt itToo light or too fast. Lower for 3 seconds, pause 1 second at the stretch, and pick a load that leaves only 1–2 reps in the tank.
  • Joint painSharp or joint pain is a stop sign: end this set, lower the weight, shorten the range — if it repeats, switch to an easier variation.

During a workout we ask after the first set where you felt it and give the fix right away — and remember it for next time.

Tips

  • Set the pulley high and pull on a downward diagonal.
  • Keep most of your weight on the front leg; the back foot is for balance.
  • Pulley height changes the focus: high-to-low for the lower chest, low-to-high for the upper chest.
  • Keep your chest up and shoulders back throughout the arc.
  • Stand far enough from the stack to keep constant tension on the cable.

Common mistakes

  • Bending and straightening your elbows so the fly turns into a press.
  • Letting your shoulders roll forward at the end of each rep.

Breathing

Exhale as you bring your hands together, inhale as you open up.

Equipment needed

Recommended by goal

Build muscle3–4 sets × 8–12 reps · rest 60–90 s
Strength4–5 sets × 4–6 reps · rest 2–3 min
Endurance2–3 sets × 15–20 reps · rest 30–45 s

Variations of this move

Alternatives for the same muscle