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Exercise Guide

How to do cable lying pullover

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

The cable lying pullover is a unique exercise that targets the latissimus dorsi and the serratus anterior while keeping constant tension on the muscles. By lying on a bench and pulling the cable overhead, you achieve a deep stretch that is difficult to replicate with dumbbells. This movement is excellent for improving thoracic mobility and building a wide, tapered back through a long range of motion.

Stats

TIER
4
DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Bench, Cable
TARGET MUSCLES
Chest, Back

Instructions for Proper Form

Setup:

  1. Bench and Cable Machine: Lie on a flat bench positioned perpendicular to a low-pulley cable machine. Your head should be near the end of the bench closest to the machine.
  2. Attachment: Attach a straight bar or EZ-bar to the low pulley.
  3. Grip: Reach back and grasp the attachment with an overhand grip (palms facing away from you), slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
  4. Starting Position: Extend your arms above your chest, holding the attachment perpendicular to the floor. Engage your core and keep your back flat on the bench.

The Lift:

  1. Lower the Bar: Inhale and slowly lower the attachment back and over your head in an arc motion. Keep your arms as straight as possible throughout the movement.
  2. Feel the Stretch: Continue lowering until you feel a stretch in your lats and chest.
  3. Pull Upward: Exhale and pull the attachment back up to the starting position, using your lats and chest to drive the movement.

Tips:

  • Elbow Position: Keep your elbows slightly bent throughout the entire movement to protect your joints.
  • Focus on Lats and Chest: Concentrate on using your lats and chest muscles to pull the attachment, minimizing the involvement of your triceps.
  • Control the Movement: Perform the exercise with a slow and controlled tempo, avoiding any jerking or swinging motions.
  • Variations: You can use a rope attachment instead of a bar to target the lats from a slightly different angle.

Common mistakes: Bending the elbows too much (turning it into a tricep extension), arching the lower back off the bench, and using a range of motion that is too large, causing shoulder strain.

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