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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:
- 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.
- Attachment: Attach a straight bar or EZ-bar to the low pulley.
- Grip: Reach back and grasp the attachment with an overhand grip (palms facing away from you), slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
- 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:
- 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.
- Feel the Stretch: Continue lowering until you feel a stretch in your lats and chest.
- 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