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.

Cable Upper Chest CrossoversWatch the Cable Upper Chest Crossovers

Each substitute is scored on movement pattern, muscles worked, equipment and body position. Read how we rank alternatives

How to Do Cable Upper Chest Crossovers

The steps for Cable Upper Chest Crossovers themselves, so you can judge how close each substitute below really is.

Pectorals, with deltoids, triceps · Cable · Intermediate · Isolation

  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.

The 10 Best 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. Cards with a "How to perform it" link open to show the steps; every card title links to that exercise's own alternatives page.

Each link re-ranks the list below for the kit it names. Pick one to hide the substitutes you cannot set up.

  1. Cable Cross-over VariationPlay demonstration

    1. Cable Cross-over Variation

    99% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Isolation

    Pick this when you want an easier version that still works the pectorals.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    1. Adjust the cable pulleys to chest height.
    2. Stand in the center of the cable machine with one foot in front of the other.
    3. Grasp the handles with your palms facing down and your arms extended out to the sides.
    4. Take a step forward, keeping your arms slightly bent.
    5. With a slight bend in your elbows, bring your hands together in front of your chest.
    6. Pause for a moment, 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
    • 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. Cable Crossover

    2. Cable Crossover

    99% match

    Pectorals · Intermediate · Isolation

    It uses the same equipment and still works the pectorals.

    • Cable
    How to perform it
    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

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.

Find Alternatives for Any Exercise

Search the exercise database and filter the ranked substitutes by the equipment you own.