Skip to content
ascend.
Exercise guide

Cable Iron Cross

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

IsolationCableBeginnerPush
Primary muscles

Chest

Secondary

Equipment

Cable

Step by step

How to do the Cable Iron Cross

  1. 1

    Begin by moving the pulleys to the high position, select the resistance to be used, and take a handle in each hand.

  2. 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. 3

    Keeping the elbows extended, pull your arms straight to your sides.

  4. 4

    Return your arms back to the starting position after a pause at the peak contraction.

  5. 5

    Continue the movement for the prescribed number of repetitions.

In Ascend

Log it, see it on your body.

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

Related

More chest exercises

Ascend Club

The climb is free. The Club is how you go further.

Core tracking is free forever. Club unlocks the coach, the competition, and the depth — for the price of one protein-shake a month.

AI Coach

Your own coach character

Pick Rae, June or Atlas — a coach that reads your last 90 days and proposes the next move. Free gets nudges; Club gets the full conversation.

Leagues

Mountain leagues, worldwide

Get ranked against climbers everywhere — every muscle tiered by bodyweight strength. Promote, demote, and prove it weekly.

Challenges

Weekly + monthly challenges

Fresh goals that keep the streak interesting — solo or with your crew. Something to chase beyond your own numbers.

Analytics

Deep analytics + PR projections

See exactly when you'll hit your next PR and bodyweight goal — 4, 8, 12 weeks out. The trajectory, not just today's number.

Crews

Unlimited crews

Run as many crews as you want — squads, family, gym friends. Shared summits, cheers, and a feed that keeps everyone climbing.

Themes & more

Themes, higher AI limits, full export

Aurora, Volcanic and Summit themes. More AI chat headroom. And CSV + JSON export of everything, anytime — your data stays yours.

See Club plans

14-day free trial · no card · cancel anytime · founder pricing locked forever.