10 Best Cable Seated Chest Press Alternatives for Chest Pressing Power

Ranked Cable Seated Chest Press Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches the Cable Seated Chest 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. Best match

   Play demonstration

   1. Wide Hand Push Up

   62% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   Use this when you have nothing to train with, because it works the pectorals with bodyweight alone.

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a high plank position with your hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
   2. Keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
   3. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides.
   4. Push through your palms to extend your arms and return to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
2. 

   2. Push-up Wide

   61% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. With your hands wide apart, support your body on your toes and hands in a plank position. Your elbows should be extended and your body straight. Do not allow your hips to sag. This will be your starting position.
   2. To begin, allow the elbows to flex, lowering your chest to the floor as you inhale.
   3. Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position by extending the elbows. Exhale as you perform this step.
   4. After pausing at the contracted position, repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
3. 

   3. Pushups

   61% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on the floor face down and place your hands about 36 inches apart while holding your torso up at arms length.
   2. Next, lower yourself downward until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
   3. Now breathe out and press your upper body back up to the starting position while squeezing your chest.
   4. After a brief pause at the top contracted position, you can begin to lower yourself downward again for as many repetitions as needed.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
4. Play demonstration

   4. Push-up

   61% match

   • 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 feet together.
   2. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body in a straight line.
   3. Pause for a moment when your chest is just above the ground, 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: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
5. 

   5. Pushups (Close And Wide Hand Positions)

   61% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Lie on the floor face down and body straight with your toes on the floor and the hands wider than shoulder width for a wide hand position and closer than shoulder width for a close hand position. Make sure you are holding your torso up at arms length.
   2. Lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor as you inhale.
   3. Using your pectoral muscles, press your upper body back up to the starting position and squeeze your chest. Breathe out as you perform this step.
   4. After a second pause at the contracted position, 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: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
6. Play demonstration

   6. Push-up On Lower Arms

   60% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Beginner
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a plank position with your forearms on the ground and elbows directly below your shoulders.
   2. Engage your core and keep your body in a straight line from head to toe.
   3. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your body.
   4. Pause for a moment at the bottom, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
   5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

   Sets and reps: 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps, and add reps before you add load.

   Why this matches

   • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
7. Play demonstration

   7. Modified Hindu Push-up

   60% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Intermediate
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart.
   2. Lower your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and keeping your core engaged.
   3. As you lower your body, shift your weight back and lift your hips up towards the ceiling, creating an inverted V shape with your body.
   4. Continue to lower your body until your chest is just above the ground, then reverse the movement, pushing your hips back down and extending your arms to return 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: pectorals, the same as the Cable Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: standing, not seated
   • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable Seated Chest Press
8. Play demonstration

   8. Superman Push-up

   60% match

   • Pectorals
   • Bodyweight
   • Advanced
   • Compound

   How to perform this exercise

   1. Start in a high plank position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your feet together.
   2. Engage your core and lower your body towards the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides.
   3. As you lower your body, simultaneously lift your right arm and left leg off the ground, extending them straight out.
   4. Pause for a moment at the top, then lower your arm and leg back down while pushing yourself back up to the starting position.
   5. Repeat the movement, this time lifting your left arm and right leg.
   6. Continue alternating sides 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 Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
9. Play demonstration

   9. Push-up Plus

   59% match

   • 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. Once your chest is just above the ground, push through your hands to extend your arms and lift your upper body up.
   4. At the top of the movement, protract your shoulder blades by pushing your upper back towards the ceiling.
   5. Pause for a moment, then reverse the movement by retracting your shoulder blades and lowering your body back down to the starting position.
   6. 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 Seated Chest Press
   • Equipment: bodyweight only, not a cable
   • Body position: lying face down, not seated
10. Play demonstration

    10. Suspended Push-up

    59% match

    • Pectorals
    • Bodyweight
    • Intermediate
    • Compound

    How to perform this exercise

    1. Find a suspension trainer and adjust it to an appropriate height.
    2. Stand facing away from the anchor point and hold the handles with an overhand grip.
    3. Walk your feet forward, leaning your body forward until your weight is supported by the suspension trainer.
    4. Keep your body straight from head to heels, engage your core, and lower your chest towards the handles.
    5. Push through your chest and arms to return to the starting position.
    6. 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 Seated Chest Press
    • Equipment: a suspension trainer, not a cable
    • Body position: lying face down, not seated
    • Balance: harder to stay steady on than the Cable Seated Chest Press