Shoulder exercises

Cable Reverse Fly

Also known as: Oiseau à la poulie · Ανάποδα ανοίγματα στην τροχαλία · cable rear delt fly · reverse cable crossover

Primary
Shoulders
Equipment
Cable
Level
Beginner
Type
Isolation
Suggested rest
1 min

How to do the Cable Reverse Fly

  1. Set the pulleys at shoulder height and cross the cables: right cable in your left hand and vice versa.

  2. Stand in the middle with your arms extended in front of you.

  3. Open your arms out and back until they line up with your body.

  4. Return slowly, controlling the weight.

Sets and reps

GoalSetsRepsRest
Muscle growth2–410–151 min
Muscular endurance2–315–2545 s

When you hit the top of the rep range on every set, add 2.5 kg (5 lb) next session and work back up.

Starting points from training research. Stop each set 1–3 reps short of failure.

Muscles worked

Primary

Shoulders

Secondary

Upper back

Three heads, three jobs: the front delts press, the side delts raise your arms out and give width, the rear delts pull back. Train all three.

Alternatives

Same muscles, similar movement: swap in one of these if the Cable Reverse Fly doesn’t suit your gym or your joints.

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Cable shoulder exercises