Shoulder Press Machine vs Reverse Cable Fly
Which one fits your Shoulder workout plan?
Contents
Shoulder Press Machine works multiple joints at once, Reverse Cable Fly isolates — difficulty 1 of 5 vs 5. See which fits your Shoulder day.
Compare the benefits of Shoulder Press Machine and Reverse Cable Fly and pick the one that fits your Shoulder workout.
Shoulder Press Machine vs Reverse Cable Fly: Which Do Planfit Users Choose?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Shoulder Press Machine more often — 35,656 sessions compared to 1,771 for Reverse Cable Fly.
What most people do isn't always what fits you. Shoulder Press Machine and Reverse Cable Fly differ in the muscles they work, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Shoulder Press Machine and Reverse Cable Fly Differ
| What differs | Shoulder Press Machine | Reverse Cable Fly |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | front delts, side delts, and triceps | rear delts and traps |
| Machine type | pin-loaded | cable-driven |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 35,656 sessions | 1,771 sessions |
How to Do Shoulder Press Machine
Shoulder Press Machine Muscles Worked: Shoulder
Form
- 1. Please lift the weight vertically.
- 2. Slowly return to the starting position.
Coach's Tips
- 1. If you feel pain in your shoulder or hear a sound, change your grip so that your elbows are positioned in front of your body.
- 2. If the pain continues despite this, lower the weight or stop the exercise.
- 3. Brace your abs and keep your torso stable so that your lower back does not arch.
For a full Shoulder Press Machine guide with alternatives and benefits, see the Shoulder Press Machine exercise guide.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Shoulder, Shoulder Press Machine or Reverse Cable Fly?
Planfit users log Shoulder Press Machine more often — 35,656 sessions against 1,771 for Reverse Cable Fly. Both train Shoulder, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Shoulder Press Machine and Reverse Cable Fly work the same muscles?
Not quite. Shoulder Press Machine loads front delts, side delts, and triceps, and Reverse Cable Fly loads rear delts and traps.
What equipment do Shoulder Press Machine and Reverse Cable Fly need?
Shoulder Press Machine needs a machine, and Reverse Cable Fly needs a machine.
Which is easier to start with?
Shoulder Press Machine is the easier place to start. Move to Reverse Cable Fly once your form holds up.
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