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Exercise Guide
How to do cable lying fly
Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.
The cable lying fly is a superior chest isolation exercise that maintains constant tension on the pectorals throughout the movement. Unlike dumbbell flies, where the resistance drops off at the top, cables pull against the muscles even when the hands are close together. This creates a more intense contraction and better muscle fiber activation, leading to improved chest width, definition, and overall pectoral development.
Stats
TIER
1
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Bench, Cable
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Front Shoulder
Instructions for Proper Form
Setup:
- Bench and Cables: Lie flat on a bench positioned in the middle of a cable crossover machine. Adjust the cables to their lowest setting and attach a D-handle to each side.
- Grip: Grasp a D-handle in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
- Starting Position: Extend your arms out to the sides at chest level with a slight bend in your elbows. Ensure that your hands are directly above the pulleys.
The Lift:
- Bring Handles Together: Exhale and slowly bring the handles together in an arc motion until they meet directly above your chest. Focus on squeezing your chest muscles.
- Hold and Squeeze: Pause briefly at the top of the movement, maintaining tension in your chest.
- Return to Start: Inhale and slowly lower the handles back to the starting position, following the same arc motion. Maintain control and avoid letting the weights touch down.
Tips:
- Elbow Position: Maintain a slight bend in your elbows throughout the entire movement to prevent stress on the joint.
- Focus on the Chest: Concentrate on using your chest muscles rather than just moving your arms.
- Control the Movement: Perform the exercise with a slow and controlled tempo, avoiding any jerking or swinging motions.
- Variations: You can increase the incline of the bench to emphasize the upper chest.
Common mistakes: Bending the elbows too much (turning it into a press) and clashing the handles at the top.
Alternatives
Bench
dumbbell bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Seated Fly Machine
machine seated fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Bench
cable lying fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable
cable incline fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Cable
cable low chest fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Barbell
barbell bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Chest Press Machine
machine chest press
ChestTriceps+1
Incline Chest Press Machine
machine incline chest press
ChestTriceps+1
Barbell
barbell incline bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Crossover Cable
cable standing fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Dumbbell
dumbbell fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Crossover Cable
cable standing crossovers
ChestFront Shoulder
High Incline Chest Press Machine
machine high incline hammer chest press
ChestTriceps+1
Barbell
barbell paused incline bench press
ChestTriceps+1
None
clap push up
ChestTriceps+1
Bench
bench dip
ChestFront Shoulder
Bench Press
barbell paused bench press
ChestTriceps+1
None
chest tap push up
ChestTriceps+1
Bench
decline push up
ChestTriceps+1
None
dips between chair
ChestTriceps+1
Resistance Band
resistance band push up
ChestTriceps+1
Seated Dip Machine
machine seated dip
ChestTriceps+1
None
wide grip push-up
ChestTriceps+1
Barbell
barbell paused decline bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Dip Bar
chest dips
ChestTriceps+1
Bench
bench dip on floor
ChestTriceps+1
None
push up
ChestTriceps+1
Bench
cable lying pullover
ChestBack
Bench
dumbbell close grip bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Dumbbell
push-up row
ChestBack+5
Cable
cable incline bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Decline Chest Press Machine
machine decline chest press
ChestTriceps+1
Cable
cable bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Barbell
dumbbell incline fly
ChestFront Shoulder
Bench
dumbbell incline bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine
smit-machine bench press
ChestTriceps+1
Smith Machine
smit-machine incline bench press
ChestTriceps+1
None
diamond push up
ChestTriceps+1
None
incline push-up
ChestTriceps+1
None
floor triceps dips
ChestFront Shoulder+1
Resistance Band
assisted chest dip
ChestTriceps+1
Decline Bench
barbell decline bench press
ChestFront Shoulder+2
None
burpee
ChestTriceps+7