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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:

  1. 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.
  2. Grip: Grasp a D-handle in each hand with a neutral grip (palms facing each other).
  3. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Hold and Squeeze: Pause briefly at the top of the movement, maintaining tension in your chest.
  3. 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