10 Best Cable Upper Chest Crossovers Alternatives for Gym & Home

Cable Upper Chest Crossovers are done standing with a cable machine. Ranked closest by our scoring: the Cable Cross-over Variation, the Cable Crossover and the Cable Decline Fly.

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

Original Exercise: Cable Upper Chest Crossovers

Primary muscle
Pectorals
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Isolation

Secondary muscles: Deltoids, Triceps

How to perform Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
  1. Attach the handles to the cables at chest height.
  2. Stand in the center of the cable machine with one foot slightly in front of the other.
  3. Grasp the handles with your palms facing down and your arms extended out to the sides.
  4. Keep a slight bend in your elbows and engage your core.
  5. Pull the cables together in front of your chest, crossing them over each other.
  6. Squeeze your chest muscles at the peak of the movement.
  7. Slowly release the cables back to the starting position.
  8. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.
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Ranked Cable Upper Chest Crossovers Alternatives

10 substitutes, ranked by how closely each one matches Cable Upper Chest Crossovers 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. Cable Crossover
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the pectorals.

    How to perform this exercise
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. Hold for a second at the starting position and repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Adjust the cable machine to a decline position.
    2. Stand facing away from the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    3. Hold the handles with your palms facing forward and your arms extended straight out in front of you.
    4. Keeping a slight bend in your elbows, open your arms out to the sides in a controlled motion.
    5. Pause for a moment at the fully extended position, then slowly return to the starting position.
    6. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Stand in the middle of a cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
    2. Hold the handles of the cables with your palms facing down and your arms extended straight out to the sides.
    3. Keeping your arms straight, bring your hands together in front of your body, crossing them over each other.
    4. Pause for a moment, then slowly return to the starting position, keeping your arms extended.
    5. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
  2. Incline Cable Flye
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. To get yourself into the starting position, set the pulleys at the floor level (lowest level possible on the machine that is below your torso).
    2. Place an incline bench (set at 45 degrees) in between the pulleys, select a weight on each one and grab a pulley on each hand.
    3. With a handle on each hand, lie on the incline bench and bring your hands together at arms length in front of your face. This will be your starting position.
    4. With a slight bend of your elbows (in order to prevent stress at the biceps tendon), lower your arms 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 should remain stationary. The movement should only occur at the shoulder joint.
    5. Return your arms back to the starting position as you squeeze your chest muscles and exhale. Hold the contracted position for a second. Tip: Make sure to use the same arc of motion used to lower the weights.
    6. Repeat the movement for the prescribed amount of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Attach cables to both sides of a cable machine at chest height.
    2. Stand in the center of the machine with one foot slightly in front of the other.
    3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and extend your arms out to the sides.
    4. Keep a slight bend in your elbows and maintain a slight forward lean.
    5. Engage your chest muscles and bring your arms forward in a sweeping motion.
    6. Pause for a moment at the center, then slowly return your arms back to the starting position.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Attach the handles to the low pulleys of a cable machine and select an appropriate weight.
    2. Stand in the middle of the machine with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
    3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip and extend your arms out to the sides, keeping a slight bend in your elbows.
    4. Maintaining control, slowly bring your arms forward in a sweeping motion, crossing them in front of your body.
    5. Pause for a moment at the peak of the movement, feeling the stretch in your chest muscles.
    6. Reverse the motion and slowly return your arms to the starting position, keeping tension on your chest muscles throughout.
    7. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
  3. Cable Iron Cross
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Begin by moving the pulleys to the high position, select the resistance to be used, and take a handle in each hand.
    2. Stand directly between both pulleys with your arms extended out to your sides. Your head and chest should be up while your arms form a "T". This will be your starting position.
    3. Keeping the elbows extended, pull your arms straight to your sides.
    4. Return your arms back to the starting position after a pause at the peak contraction.
    5. Continue the movement for the prescribed number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Beginner
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Attach the handles to the cables at chest height.
    2. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, facing away from the cable machine.
    3. Grasp the handles with an overhand grip, palms facing forward.
    4. Step forward slightly to create tension in the cables.
    5. Keep your core engaged and your back straight throughout the exercise.
    6. With a slight bend in your elbows, slowly bring your arms forward and together in front of your chest.
    7. Squeeze your chest muscles at the peak of the movement.
    8. Slowly reverse the movement, returning your arms to the starting position.
    9. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
  4. Single-arm Cable Crossover
    • Pectorals
    • Cable
    • Intermediate
    • Isolation
    How to perform this exercise
    1. Begin by moving the pulleys to the high position, select the resistance to be used, and take a handle in each hand.
    2. Step forward in front of both pulleys with your arms extended in front of you, bringing your hands together. Your head and chest should be up as you lean forward, while your feet should be staggered. This will be your starting position.
    3. Keeping your left arm in place, allow your right arm to extend out to the side, maintaining a slight bend at the elbow. The right arm should be perpendicular to the body at approximately shoulder level.
    4. Return your arm back to the starting position by pulling your hand back to the midline of the body.
    5. Hold for a second at the starting position and repeat the movement on the opposite side. Continue alternating back and forth for the prescribed number of repetitions.

    Sets and reps: 3 sets of 10 to 15 reps on each side.

    Why this matches
    • Movement: chest fly, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Primary muscle: pectorals, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Equipment: a cable, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers
    • Body position: standing, the same as Cable Upper Chest Crossovers

Cable Upper Chest Crossovers FAQ

What muscles does Cable Upper Chest Crossovers work?

Cable Upper Chest Crossovers primarily target the clavicular head of the pectoralis major (upper chest) and secondarily involve the anterior deltoid and serratus anterior. The low-to-high adduction and horizontal flexion pattern produces high activation in upper pec fibers when you lead the motion with the chest.

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