Push Up vs Cable Crossover
Which one fits your Chest workout plan?
Contents
Push Up works multiple joints at once, Cable Crossover isolates — difficulty 3 of 5 vs 4. See which fits your Chest day.
Compare the benefits of Push Up and Cable Crossover and pick the one that fits your Chest workout.
Push Up vs Cable Crossover: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Push Up more often — 10,535 sessions compared to 7,891 for Cable Crossover.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Push Up and Cable Crossover differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Push Up and Cable Crossover Differ
| What differs | Push Up | Cable Crossover |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | chest, triceps, and front delts | chest, biceps, and front delts |
| Equipment | bodyweight only | a machine |
| Difficulty | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 10,535 sessions | 7,891 sessions |
How to Do Push Up
Push Up Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. Please lower yourself until your chest is just about to touch the floor.
- 2. At this time, your forearms should be perpendicular to the floor.
- 3. Engage your chest and return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please go down only as much as you can without straining your shoulders.
- 2. Keep your core engaged to prevent your hips from dropping.
For a full Push Up guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Push Up exercise guide.
How to Do Cable Crossover
Cable Crossover Muscles Worked: Chest
Form
- 1. With your arms slightly bent, bring your hands together using your chest muscles.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. Please use light weights as this exercise can put strain on the shoulders.
- 2. If you experience shoulder pain, please stop and switch to a different exercise.
- 3. Be careful not to fully extend your arms.
For a full Cable Crossover guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Cable Crossover exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Chest, Push Up or Cable Crossover?
Neither is clearly ahead — Planfit users log both at a similar rate. They both train Chest, so the choice comes down to the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Push Up and Cable Crossover work the same muscles?
Not quite. Push Up loads chest, triceps, and front delts, and Cable Crossover loads chest, biceps, and front delts.
What equipment do Push Up and Cable Crossover need?
Push Up needs bodyweight only, and Cable Crossover needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Push Up is the easier place to start. Move to Cable Crossover once your form holds up.
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