10 Best Cable One Arm Incline Press Alternatives for No Cable Access

The Cable One Arm Incline Press is done seated with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Chest Dip, the Single-arm Push-up and the Archer Push Up.

Updated Ranked by our 12-factor similarity model How it works

Original Exercise: Cable One Arm Incline Press

Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Compound

Secondary muscles: Deltoids, Triceps

How to perform Cable One Arm Incline Press
  1. Adjust the cable machine to a low pulley position.
  2. Sit on an incline bench facing away from the cable machine.
  3. Grasp the handle with one hand and bring it up to shoulder height.
  4. Position your feet firmly on the ground and maintain a stable position.
  5. Press the handle forward and upward, extending your arm fully.
  6. Pause for a moment at the top, then slowly lower the handle back to the starting position.
  7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions, then switch sides.
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Ranked Cable One Arm Incline Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Cable One Arm Incline Press on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. The higher the score, the less you change. Open "How to perform this exercise" on a card for the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

  1. Bench Dips

    2. Bench Dips

    56% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    A looser match: it works the triceps rather than the pectorals.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. For this exercise you will need to place a bench behind your back. With the bench perpendicular to your body, and while looking away from it, hold on to the bench on its edge with the hands fully extended, separated at shoulder width. The legs will be extended forward, bent at the waist and perpendicular to your torso. This will be your starting position.
    2. Slowly lower your body as you inhale by bending at the elbows until you lower yourself far enough to where there is an angle slightly smaller than 90 degrees between the upper arm and the forearm. Tip: Keep the elbows as close as possible throughout the movement. Forearms should always be pointing down.
    3. Using your triceps to bring your torso up again, lift yourself back to the starting position.
    4. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not pectorals
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: seated, the same as the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Balance: easier to stay steady on than the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Position yourself between two parallel bars with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
    2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your upper arms are parallel to the ground.
    3. Pause for a moment, then push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not pectorals
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, not seated
  2. 4. Ring Dips

    50% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start by hanging from the rings with your arms fully extended and your body straight.
    2. Lower your body by bending your elbows until your shoulders are below your elbows.
    3. Push yourself back up to the starting position by straightening your arms.
    4. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 to 5 sets of 5 to 8 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not pectorals
    • Equipment: a suspension trainer, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable One Arm Incline Press
  3. 5. Elbow Dips

    45% match
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Sit on the edge of a bench or chair with your hands gripping the edge next to your hips.
    2. Slide your hips forward off the bench and straighten your legs, keeping your heels on the ground.
    3. Bend your elbows and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your back close to the bench.
    4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push through your hands to straighten your arms and lift your body back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not pectorals
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: standing, not seated
  4. Dips - Triceps Version
    • Triceps
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. To get into the starting position, hold your body at arm's length with your arms nearly locked above the bars.
    2. Now, inhale and slowly lower yourself downward. Your torso should remain upright and your elbows should stay close to your body. This helps to better focus on tricep involvement. Lower yourself until there is a 90 degree angle formed between the upper arm and forearm.
    3. Then, exhale and push your torso back up using your triceps to bring your body back to the starting position.
    4. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: triceps, not pectorals
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: hanging, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable One Arm Incline Press
  5. Single-arm Push-up
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Begin laying prone on the ground. Move yourself into a position supporting your weight on your toes and one arm. Your working arm should be placed directly under the shoulder, fully extended. Your legs should be extended, and for this movement you may need a wider base, placing your feet further apart than in a normal push-up.
    2. Maintain good posture, and place your free hand behind your back. This will be your starting position.
    3. Lower yourself by allowing the elbow to flex until you touch the ground.
    4. Descend slowly, and reverse direction be extending the arm to return to the starting position.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Advanced
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    2. Extend one arm straight out to the side, parallel to the ground.
    3. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping your back straight and core engaged.
    4. Push back up to the starting position.
    5. Repeat on the other side, extending the opposite arm out to the side.
    6. Continue alternating sides for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the dip bars to a height that allows you to comfortably grip them.
    2. Stand between the bars and place your hands on each bar, slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.
    3. Jump up and straighten your arms, supporting your body weight on the bars.
    4. Bend your knees and cross your ankles behind you.
    5. Lower your body by bending your elbows, keeping your chest up and your shoulders down.
    6. Continue lowering until your shoulders are below your elbows or until you feel a stretch in your chest.
    7. Push through your palms and extend your elbows to raise your body back up to the starting position.
    8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: hanging, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line from head to heels.
    2. Lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
    3. As you push back up, lift your right hand off the ground and tap your left shoulder.
    4. Return your right hand to the ground and repeat the push-up, this time lifting your left hand and tapping your right shoulder.
    5. Continue alternating shoulder taps with each push-up repetition.
    6. Maintain a stable core and avoid excessive hip rotation throughout the exercise.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 or 4 sets of 6 to 10 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable One Arm Incline Press
    • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated

Why You Might Need a Cable One Arm Incline Press Alternative

You might substitute this exercise when you lack cable equipment, have shoulder pain with horizontal abduction, or want a different tension curve. Cables provide constant tension through the range; dumbbells and landmine presses change load distribution and may reduce shear on the glenohumeral joint. If a shoulder irritates, select an alternative that keeps the elbow ~45° from the torso and limits horizontal abduction beyond 60° to reduce supraspinatus stress. For unilateral strength imbalances, pick single-arm dumbbell or landmine work and focus on slow eccentric control to maximize pectoral activation while protecting the joint.

How to Choose the Right Cable One Arm Incline Press Substitute

Match the substitute to your goals, equipment, and shoulder mechanics. For upper-pectoral hypertrophy choose a 30–45° incline and an exercise that maintains tension near lockout; cue: drive the elbow upward and slightly inward to emphasize clavicular fibers. For stability and imbalance correction pick single-arm variations and focus on core bracing and neutral wrist alignment. If shoulder pain is the limiter, prefer landmine or machine presses that offer a fixed arc and reduce horizontal abduction. Progress load, tempo, and range of motion based on how each variation shifts peak pec activation.

Cable One Arm Incline Press FAQ

What muscles does Cable One Arm Incline Press work?

The move primarily targets the clavicular head of the pectoralis major, with secondary activation of the anterior deltoid and triceps brachii. Because the bench is inclined, the line of pull biases upper-pec fibers; cue scapular retraction and a slight inward press to maximize pectoral recruitment.

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