Cable Crossover

The cable cross-over is an isolation movement that uses a cable stack to build bigger and stronger pectoral muscles. Since it's done using adjustable pulleys, you can target different parts of your chest by setting the pulleys at different levels. It is common in upper body and chest-focused muscle-building workouts, often as a pre-exhaust at the beginning of a workout, or a finishing movement at the end. It is often in combination with other presses or flyes to target the chest from different angles.

Benefits

Unlike dumbbells, cables provide constant tension, including at peak contraction
Ability to quickly switch weights for dropsets
Ability to customize cable height to target specific areas of the chest
Stretches the chest mucles under load, which can lead to greater muscle gain

Type: Strength
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Equipment: Cable
Level: Intermediate

8.8

Average

Cable Crossover Images

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Cable Crossover Instructions

To get yourself into the starting position, place the pulleys on a high position (above your head), select the resistance to be used and hold the pulleys in each hand.
Step forward in front of an imaginary straight line between both pulleys while pulling your arms together in front of you. Your torso should have a small forward bend from the waist. This will be your starting position.
With a slight bend on your elbows in order to prevent stress at the biceps tendon, extend your arms to the side (straight out at both sides) in a wide arc until you feel a stretch on your chest. Breathe in as you perform this portion of the movement. Tip: Keep in mind that throughout the movement, the arms and torso should remain stationary; the movement should only occur at the shoulder joint.
Return your arms back to the starting position as you breathe out. Make sure to use the same arc of motion used to lower the weights.
Hold for a second at the starting position and repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

Variations: You can vary the point in front of you where your arms meet.