Primary
Chest
Secondary
Shoulders
Equipment
Cable
Difficulty
Intermediate
Type
Push
Preview a first week that includes Lying Cable Fly
MySetPlan shows you when to use Lying Cable Fly, how many sets and reps to do, what to pair it with, and how to progress next week.
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Exercise guidance based on established strength-training principles and practical programming.
Lying cable fly combines the bench position of dumbbell flyes with the constant tension of cables. You get the stretch of lying down and the relentless resistance of cables pulling throughout every inch. Best of both worlds for chest isolation.
When to use it
Use for chest isolation with constant cable tension.
Who it's for
Lifters wanting the dumbbell fly position with cable tension benefits. Those seeking chest isolation that never loses resistance. Anyone wanting fly variety beyond standing cables.
Center the bench exactly between the pulleys—asymmetry makes one side harder than the other. Set the cables low so they pull outward as you open your arms. The stretch at the bottom should feel like cables trying to rip your arms apart.
Also targets: Shoulders
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Set cable pulleys to the lowest position.
Place a flat bench in the center of the cable station.
Lie on the bench and grab both cable handles.
Start with arms extended above your chest.
Lower the handles out to the sides in an arc.
Bring them back together, squeezing your chest.
Keep a slight bend in your elbows throughout.
Focus on the stretch at the bottom of the movement.
Squeeze your chest hard at the top.
Control the weight on both phases of the movement.
Use lying cable fly when you want the lying fly position but better resistance than dumbbells provide. Works well after pressing as isolation volume. Choose over standing flyes when you want the stretched position of a bench.
Bending elbows too much, turning it into a press.
Letting your elbows drift away from the intended path during the Lying Cable Fly can change which muscles carry the load. Use the elbow position described in the setup cues and keep it consistent through each rep.
Not controlling the eccentric phase.
During any pressing movement like the Lying Cable Fly, this mistake reduces how effectively your Chest (pectoralis major) can produce force. Focus on the muscle you're trying to work — if you can't feel your Chest (pectoralis major) driving the movement, something is off.
Going too heavy and losing form.
Loading more weight than you can control on the Lying Cable Fly often creates compensations that shift work away from your Chest (pectoralis major). Reduce the load until each rep follows the intended path.
Not achieving full range of motion.
Cutting the range of motion short on the Lying Cable Fly can reduce the training stimulus for your Chest (pectoralis major). Use the largest comfortable range you can control without changing the intended setup.
Lifters wanting the dumbbell fly position with cable tension benefits. Those seeking chest isolation that never loses resistance. Anyone wanting fly variety beyond standing cables.
Lower reps with heavier weight builds raw strength. Your muscles and nervous system adapt to handle more load over time. This range is best for strength-focused goals.
This rep range keeps your muscles under tension long enough to trigger growth. Most people see the best muscle-building results in this zone. It balances strength and muscle size.
Higher reps with lighter weight builds muscular endurance and improves conditioning. This range is good for joint health and building work capacity.
General guideline: 3 sets of 12-15 reps. Rest 60-90s.
MySetPlan places Lying Cable Fly inside a complete workout — with the right sets, reps, rest periods, and a progression you can follow week to week.
Sample workout
MySetPlan guides you set by set, times your rest, lets you swap if equipment is busy, and tells you what to do next.
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Lying Cable Fly
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Lying Cable Fly
The Lying Cable Fly primarily targets the Chest (pectoralis major), making it an effective exercise for chest development. Secondary muscles worked during the Lying Cable Fly include Front shoulders, providing additional training stimulus. Stabilizer muscles engaged include Core, Biceps.
The Lying Cable Fly is rated as intermediate difficulty, meaning it requires some training experience. Lifters wanting the dumbbell fly position with cable tension benefits. Those seeking chest isolation that never loses resistance. Anyone wanting fly variety beyond standing cables. Focus on proper technique and consider starting with easier variations.
For the Lying Cable Fly, the recommended approach depends on your goals. 3 sets of 12-15 reps. Rest 60-90s. For strength, use 8-10 reps. For muscle growth, perform 12-15 reps. For endurance, complete 15-20 reps.
The Lying Cable Fly typically requires a cable, which most home gyms don't have. For a home-friendly alternative targeting the same muscles, check the variations section above.
Good alternatives to the Lying Cable Fly include: Dumbbell Fly, Cable Fly. These exercises target similar muscle groups as the Lying Cable Fly and can be used as substitutes based on your equipment availability, gym setup, or training preferences.