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Exercise guide

Cable Chest Press

How to do the Cable Chest Press with correct form, the muscles it works, and where it fits a training plan you actually stick to.

CompoundCableBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Chest

Secondary

Shoulders, Triceps

Equipment

Cable

Step by step

How to do the Cable Chest Press

  1. 1

    Adjust the weight to an appropriate amount and be seated, grasping the handles. Your upper arms should be about 45 degrees to the body, with your head and chest up. The elbows should be bent to about 90 degrees. This will be your starting position.

  2. 2

    Begin by extending through the elbow, pressing the handles together straight in front of you. Keep your shoulder blades retracted as you execute the movement.

  3. 3

    After pausing at full extension, return to th starting position, keeping tension on the cables.

  4. 4

    You can also execute this movement with your back off the pad, at an incline or decline, or alternate hands.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

Every Cable Chest Press set you log feeds Ascend's anatomy heatmap, so your chest volume is visible at a glance, and counts toward your bodyweight-strength tier.

Train with a goal

Where the Cable Chest Press fits

The Cable Chest Press shows up in training built around a specific goal. See how it fits:

Related

More chest exercises

FAQ

Cable Chest Press: common questions

What muscles does the Cable Chest Press work?

The Cable Chest Press primarily works the Chest. It also recruits the Shoulders and Triceps as supporting muscles.

Is the Cable Chest Press suitable for beginners?

Yes. The Cable Chest Press is a beginner-level exercise, so it's a solid choice if you're new to training. Start light and focus on the movement pattern before adding load.

What equipment do I need for the Cable Chest Press?

To do the Cable Chest Press you'll need a cable machine.

Is the Cable Chest Press a compound or isolation exercise?

The Cable Chest Press is a compound exercise, it moves multiple joints and works several muscle groups at once, which makes it efficient for building overall strength.

How do I do the Cable Chest Press with correct form?

Adjust the weight to an appropriate amount and be seated, grasping the handles. Your upper arms should be about 45 degrees to the body, with your head and chest up. The elbows should be bent to about 90 degrees. This will be your starting position. Follow the full step-by-step above for the complete movement.

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