Reverse Cable Fly vs Smith Machine Shrug
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Planfit users log Reverse Cable Fly more often — 1,771 sessions vs 228. Compare Shoulder form, muscles worked, and when to use each.
Compare the benefits of Reverse Cable Fly and Smith Machine Shrug and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Reverse Cable Fly vs Smith Machine Shrug: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Reverse Cable Fly more often — 1,771 sessions compared to 228 for Smith Machine Shrug.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Reverse Cable Fly and Smith Machine Shrug differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Reverse Cable Fly and Smith Machine Shrug Differ
| What differs | Reverse Cable Fly | Smith Machine Shrug |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | rear delts and traps | traps |
| Machine type | cable-driven | Smith-machine |
| Difficulty | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 1,771 sessions | 228 sessions |
How to Do Reverse Cable Fly
Reverse Cable Fly Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Pull the grip to bring your arms beside your body.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- If you excessively fold your wings, the trapezius muscle will be used instead of the rear shoulder, so please be careful.
For a full Reverse Cable Fly guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Reverse Cable Fly exercise guide.
How to Do Smith Machine Shrug
Smith Machine Shrug Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please shrug your shoulders and lift the barbell.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. When lowering the barbell, it should be done slowly rather than just dropping it.
- 2. Please ensure that the neck does not extend excessively forward.
For a full Smith Machine Shrug guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Smith Machine Shrug exercise guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Reverse Cable Fly or Smith Machine Shrug?
Planfit users log Reverse Cable Fly more often — 1,771 sessions against 228 for Smith Machine Shrug. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Reverse Cable Fly and Smith Machine Shrug work the same muscles?
Not quite. Reverse Cable Fly loads rear delts and traps, and Smith Machine Shrug loads traps.
What equipment do Reverse Cable Fly and Smith Machine Shrug need?
Reverse Cable Fly needs a machine, and Smith Machine Shrug needs a machine.
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