Should my hands touch at the top of the movement?

While your hands should come close together, the focus should be on the contraction of the chest. Crossing your hands slightly can increase the squeeze, but avoid clanking the handles together.

How high should I raise the cables?

Aim to bring your hands to approximately chin or eye level. Going higher usually shifts too much of the tension onto the front deltoids and away from the upper chest.

Is this exercise better than the incline dumbbell fly?

Cables provide constant tension throughout the entire range of motion, whereas dumbbells lose resistance at the very top. Both are effective, but the cable fly offers better peak contraction.

Low Cable Fly Guide: Target the Upper Chest

Learn how to perform the low cable fly with proper form to isolate the upper chest, improve muscle definition, and avoid common shoulder mistakes.

How to Perform

Set the pulleys to the lowest position on a cable crossover machine and select an equal weight on both stacks.
Grasp the D-handles with an underhand grip and stand in the center of the machine with one foot slightly in front of the other for stability.
Maintain a slight bend in your elbows and begin with your arms extended down and back at roughly a 45-degree angle from your torso.
Drive your hands upward and inward toward the center of your chest until they meet at eye level.
Squeeze your chest muscles at the peak of the movement, ensuring your shoulder blades remain retracted.
Lower the weights slowly back to the starting position under full control to maintain tension on the pectorals.

Common Mistakes

Using excessive momentum rather than controlled muscle contraction
Pressing the handles forward instead of following a wide arc
Allowing the shoulders to roll forward at the top of the rep
Bending the elbows too much which shifts the load to the biceps

Muscles Worked

Primary movers

Upper Chest

Stabilizers

Front Deltoids
Biceps Brachii
Serratus Anterior

Related Guides

Upper Chest · Chest