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Exercise Guide

How to do cable crossover reverse fly

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

This isolation movement targets the posterior deltoids and the muscles of the upper back. Using cables ensures that there is tension on the muscles even at the start of the movement. By pulling the handles across the body in a wide arc, you improve shoulder health, posture, and the overall definition of the rear shoulders, balancing out chest-heavy training routines effectively.

Stats

TIER
1
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Crossover Cable
TARGET MUSCLES
Rear Shoulder

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Cable Machine: Stand in the center of a cable crossover machine with the pulleys set to high position.
  2. Grip: Reach across your body and grab the handle from the right side of the machine with your left hand, and the left handle with your right hand.
  3. Stance: Step forward slightly with one foot and maintain a staggered stance for stability.
  4. Body Position: Hinge forward slightly at the hips, keeping your back straight and core engaged. Your arms should be extended in front of you with a slight bend in your elbows.

The Lift:

  1. Initiate: Keeping your arms straight, open your arms out to the sides and back until you feel a contraction in your rear deltoids and upper back muscles. Your torso should remain stationary.
  2. Squeeze: Pause briefly at the top of the movement, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
  3. Controlled Return: Slowly return your arms to the starting position, resisting the pull of the cables.

Tips:

  • Focus on the Rear Deltoids: Think about pulling your shoulder blades together rather than just moving your arms.
  • Maintain Tension: Keep tension in the cables throughout the entire movement.
  • Control the Movement: Avoid swinging your arms or using momentum.
  • Variations: You can adjust the height of the pulleys to target different areas of your back and shoulders.

Common mistakes: Bending the arms too much, turning it into a press, and standing too far forward which reduces tension at the end of the movement.

Alternatives

Seated Fly Machine

machine seated reverse fly(parallel grip)

Rear Shoulder
Cable

cable rear delt row

Rear Shoulder
Crossover Cable

cable crossover reverse fly

Rear Shoulder
Seated Fly Machine

machine seated reverse fly

Rear Shoulder
Cable

cable seated rear lateral raise

Rear ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell incline rear lateral raise

Rear ShoulderLateral Shoulder
Cable

cable standing rear delt row

Rear Shoulder
Bench

dumbbell rear delt row

Rear Shoulder
Resistance Band

resistance band kneeling face pull

Rear Shoulder
Dumbbell

dumbbell rear delt raise

Rear ShoulderTraps
Squat Rack

band standing rear delt row

Rear Shoulder