Cable crossover machines and their exercises are quite underrated and lesser-known. Even fitness enthusiasts are well-versed with the bench press dominating or being the first go-to movement in most gym goers’ routines. As a result, cable crossover exercises get neglected or underestimated in workout programs to bulk up and tone your chest.
It’s undeniable that bench pressing or dumbbell pressing is “the” exercise for putting on muscle mass. In addition, it also effectively targets multiple muscle groups through different planes of motion. However, the real definition can be achieved through harnessing the power of cable crossover machines. So, in this article, we’ll check out the 5 best cable crossover machines to amp up your routine!
5 Best Cable Crossover Machines for Home Gym
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So what are the benefits of using cable crossover machines?
To start it off, some people may still be unfamiliar with cable crossover machines. These machines feature a limitless number of exercises due to the versatility of their pulleys and unrestricted planes of motion. When these are combined, it allows more muscle groups to be enhanced throughout workouts.
That being said, these are then the benefits of using cable crossover machines!
It’s the safer choice!
Unlike pulling weights with your hands like barbells, or kettlebells, there is no position where weight can fall on you. The repeated motion is just a mere pulling and pushing with your grip strength. If anything goes bad, like a sudden jolt or internal muscle strain, you can easily let go. The weights are just dropped right back away from you, effectively avoiding further harm. That means if you’re avoiding weights in fear of dropping them, the cable crossover machine could be your friend!
Your core is worked out immensely.
With cable crossover machines, each move brings a test of stability. The cables require you to engage and stabilize with so many particular muscles. What this does is it evens out the developments of your muscles, making sure that both big and muscles are catered to. If the equilibrium is reached, muscle tears and injuries are avoided.
When you’re engaging with a cable crossover machine, you’re standing (on two feet, in a staggered position, or even kneeling). This position needs your entire body working to keep you upright. Meanwhile, as your upper body pushes the weight, your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core are tensing to keep you steady. This is the epitome of a whole-body workout!
It adds the next level of resistance.
What’s good about using the cable crossover machine is that you have a high tension throughout the motions. When doing movements with other gym staples such as back machines or squat bars, there are some points when there’s no muscle tension. But with the cable crossover machine, you can make and feel tension throughout the entire exercise.
Customizable and adjustable just for you!
The cable crossover machine, with all its mechanisms and parts, is one customizable machine! For example, it can be adjusted to best suit the height of the user. In addition, you can also easily progress in weight and muscle mass as you get stronger. Finally, the cable crossover is versatile for doing a ton of different exercises.
What are some cable crossover exercise variations I can do?
With cable crossover machines, it only follows that we do cable crossover exercises. Cable crossover exercises target the pectoralis major muscles’ sternal heads, found in the bottom of the chest all the while activating muscles in the back and shoulder. Cable crossovers are isolation moves that directly target the chest muscles. Bodybuilders really like this exercise because it provides extreme definition to the chest muscles. It develops your muscles in both the utilitarian and aesthetic aspects of working out.
Low-pulley Cable Crossover
The body’s upper chest area is especially hard to grow. Typical incline pressing movements place a great amount of stress on your anterior delt, which makes the muscles found around the collarbone difficult to target. This is where the low pulley cable crossover can help.
How to do a low pulley cable crossover:
- Set the handles on the lowest pulley ring.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold onto the handles with palms facing forward, and hands beside your thighs.
- With a little bend in your elbows, pull both handles up and inwards until your palms face each other in front of your chest.
- Squeeze and exert force with your chest muscles for one to two seconds Afterwards, reverse to the start, all while keeping the movement under control.
- Repeat as many times as your routine allows.
Standing Cable Crossover
The standing cable crossover is the most common exercise in cable chest exercises that occurs in the gym. See here how to do perform the movement correctly and read on after on how to adapt the exercise:
How to do the standing cable crossover:
- Hold onto one handle with the inside of your one hand and step back to allow you to reach the second cable safely with your other hand.
- Take the tension of the weight
- Keeping a straight back while holding your shoulders back, take a step forward into the resistance with one leg staggered in front of the other (usually it’s the dominant leg behind for support) with your front knee bent fully.
- Pull the weight forward with a slight bend in your elbows with your hands open (for more advanced users) or closed.
- Squeeze and exert force with your chest at the end of the movement.
- Slowly release yourself back to the starting position, before repeating the steps. Keep your elbows higher than your hands throughout the motions.
- Don’t forget to breathe throughout the contractions and relaxations in the movement.
- Repeat as many times as your routine allows.
Resistance Band Crossover
If you don’t have access to cable crossover machines, that’s understandable. Since many gyms are still closed, fitness enthusiasts have to make do with what they have at home. Fortunately, you can try and emulate cable crossover exercises using pull-up assistance bands or resistance bands. As long as you have something strong enough to attach your band too, you’re good to go!
How to do a resistance band crossover:
- Wrap the band around your sturdy points, then turn around, holding one end of the band in each hand.
- Move far enough away to place tension into the band, then take your arms out to your side, opening up your chest.
- Gradually bring your hands together in front of your chest, keeping a little bend in your elbows throughout the motions.
- Squeeze and exert force with your chest muscles in this position, then open your arms up again.
- Repeat as many times as your routine allows.
The 5 Best Cable Crossover Machines to Amp Up Your Routine
You’ve read how it’s good for you and the workouts you can do on it. Now, you can choose among the 5 best cable crossover machines to amp up your workout routine!
Marcy Smith Cage Machine
- Brand: Marcy
- Color: Black
- Material: Steel
- Maximum load: 600 pounds
- Item weight: 352.74 pounds
- Length/Dimensions: 65 x 79.25 x 84.5 inches
Description: The Marcy Smith Cage Machine with Workout Bench and Weight Bar is tried and tested by athletes with their home gyms! The Smith Machine Home Gym includes accessories such as pulley cable handles, shiver bar, triceps rope, v-bar, and ankle strap. In addition, its dual upper pulley cables can be used for cable crossovers, overhead triceps extensions, and many other exercises! Although it has a maximum capacity of 600-pound weights, the set does not have included weights.
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Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage with LAT Pull-down
- Brand: Fitness Reality
- Color: Black
- Material: Aluminum, Steel
- Maximum load: 800 pounds
- Item weight: 137 pounds
- Length/Dimensions: 80 x 13 x 9.5 inches
Description: The Fitness Reality 810XLT Super Max Power Cage with LAT Pull-down is definitely good for passionate weightlifters and gym buffs. Heavyweight workouts can be effectively done on this beast! It has a whopping 800-pound capacity because it’s made from durable heavy-duty tubular steel frames. Finally, it has a large walk-in space that makes for easy side-to-side movement. Cable crossovers and many other exercises are a breeze on this machine!
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HulkFit 1000-Pound Capacity Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage
- Brand: HulkFit
- Color: Black, Yellow, Green
- Material: Steel
- Maximum load: 500-1000 pounds
- Item weight: 140 pounds
- Length/Dimensions: 120 x 81 x 31.5 inches
Description: The HulkFit 1000-Pound Capacity Multi-Function Adjustable Power Cage’s for you if you want heavy-duty equipment that’ll keep up with you! It has a square steel frame construction with a wide-open base for maximum stability and safety.
In addition, its wings are wide open so it won’t block you from using the power cage even if you have a 7-ft barbell! Lastly, its recommended capacity is 500 pounds but the Nylon-coated aircraft-quality cables have been able to endure 1000-pound tests!
Related: HulkFit Power Cage (1000LB-Capacity) Review: Is It A Good Investment?
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FreeMotion Dual Cable EXT Crossover Machine
- Brand: FreeMotion
- Color: Silver
- Material: Steel-alloy, high-grade metal
- Maximum load: 350 pounds
- Item weight: 925 Pounds
- Length/Dimensions: 60 x 113 x 84 inches
Description: The FreeMotion Dual Cable EXT Crossover Machine is the most suitable for home gyms since it’s relatively small in size. What’s even greater about this is that it comes with two 210-pound weight stacks already. However, you can still modify it to a higher weight load if you want that heavy-duty workout!
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Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym Series
- Brand: Bowflex
- Color: Silver
- Material: Steel-alloy, high-grade metal
- Maximum load: 310 pounds
- Item weight: 800 Pounds
- Length/Dimensions: 75 x 120 x 90 inches
Description: The Bowflex PR3000 Home Gym Series Offers over 50 gym-quality exercises to work out your entire body, so it’s definitely not just for cable crossovers! It can provide as little as 5 or as high as 310 pounds of Power Rod resistance, taking your workout to the next level!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’S) About Cable Crossover Machines
When it comes to spending on heavyweight workout equipment, we still doubt ourselves. Even at this point, you may still be thinking twice about cable crossover machines. That’s understandable since cable crossover machines require some time, patience, and resources. Don’t worry, here are the answers to the FAQs running through your mind!
Are cable crossover machines worth it?
A: Cable crossover machines are worth buying especially for serious weight training. However, they are also very helpful for the novice, senior, and recreational athletes. Additionally, it’s also good for injury rehabilitation. If you’ve been seriously working out but you’ve been recently injured, cable crossover machines help you get back on track.
Are cable crossover machines safe?
A: Even with the cable crossover machine’s intimidating appearance, it’s actually a safer bet amongst its heavyweight counterparts in the gym. Again, the lack of direct interaction with weights makes your workout session much safer.
How much resistance can cable crossover machines provide?
A: Most cable crossover machines have a minimum of 20 pounds (less than 9 kilograms) of resistance in them so as to counterbalance the weight of the typical attachment. Look at our list of cable crossover machines to find out which resistance capacity works best for you!
Which muscles does the cable crossover machine work out?
A: Exercising with the cable crossover machine targets your pectoralis major muscles’ sternal heads. These muscles are found in the bottom part of your chest. They are often referred to as your lower pecs and contribute to shoulder and scapula movements on the sides of your body. Consequently, cable crossover machines’ exercises work out the muscle groups found in the arms, hands, thighs, buttocks, and core.
Which cable crossover machine should I buy?
A: Cable crossover machines have a pretty high price tag, so you have to be careful when it comes to your budget and lifestyle. Read on the variety of cable crossover machines we’ve jotted down for you and you’ll find one for you!
Conclusion
Based on all this info we’ve compiled for you, you’re ready to buy the best cable crossover machines possible! Still not sure about pushing through with cable crossover workouts? Don’t worry! There are many other ways to keep yourself fit that might be up your alleyway. Power twisters, pull-up bar systems, and punching bags are just some other equipment you can check out. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to stay amped up and ready to go!