1. Home
  2. Exercises
  3. Low cable crossover
Chest

Low cable crossover: how to do it right

This is the cable crossover with the pulleys low: your hands rise in an arc until they meet in front of your face. That way it mainly works your upper chest.

Main muscle
Chest
Also works
Front delts
Equipment
Low cables
Level
Intermediate
Low cable crossover: start position
Start position
Low cable crossover: end position
End position

Step by step

  1. Set both pulleys at the lowest position and grab a handle in each hand.
  2. Step forward with your chest up and arms open and down, elbows slightly bent.
  3. Raise your hands in an arc until they meet at chin height.
  4. Squeeze for a second and lower slowly along the same arc.

Tip: Use light weight and think about bringing your biceps together, not your hands.

Common mistakes

Lifting with your shoulders

If your shoulders shrug, your traps take over. Keep them down.

Bending your elbows

Keep the elbow angle fixed so your chest does the work.

Going too high

Above your face your shoulders take over. Stop at chin height.

Sets and reps

Guide ranges. Start with a weight where the last rep is hard but your technique holds.

GoalSetsRepsRest
Strength3–53–62–3 min
Build muscle3–46–121.5–2 min
Health and fitness2–310–151 min

In GymOrbita you log every set and the app suggests the weight for your next session based on what you did last time.

Alternatives

If the machine is busy or you want a variation:

FAQ

High-to-low or low-to-high?

High-to-low works your lower chest more; low-to-high, your upper chest. Choose based on what you want to build.

General technique information, not a substitute for professional advice. If you have an injury or pain, check with a doctor or physiotherapist first.

Add low cable crossover to your routine

GymOrbita has this exercise with its animation: log the weight and reps of every set and track your progress. Free.