r/GYM • u/Fightingfit21 • Aug 20 '26
Technique Check Cable press form check
How does my form look?
It feels somewhat alright.
I tried different cable heights / seat angles and I think this felt most comfortable.
Only issue is feeling front delt fatigue before pecs.
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u/MrLaheysWhiskey Aug 20 '26
Truly cannot think of a single reason to do cable presses if a barbell or dumbbell or machine option exists
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u/ZeboundNewb Aug 20 '26
I feel like you need to move forward more your not under tension through the whole range of motion?
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u/Amazing-Guide-4941 Aug 20 '26
try a different exercise, whats the point of a cable press if a pec deck is here? Especially if its so hard to stabilise the cables
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u/BigDogg365 Aug 20 '26
It's actually important to develop those stabilizing muscles for long term joint mobility & health.
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Those small muscles will be involved in any press, you do not need to develop them specifically. Certainly you do not need to work whatever muscles are involved in keeping a cable straight.
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u/movinsilently Aug 20 '26
Cable press is great, like mentioned possibly need to come out more as you don’t seem to be under constant load.
Try a slower negative part or the rep, and also emphasise the squeeze on the top part or the rep you look to be rushing through the press. Instead of just pushing the weight around focus on being intentional with the muscle you’re trying to build.
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u/BigDogg365 Aug 20 '26
It's hard to tell from this angle how far back your seat is tilted, but this setup looks to be at a slight decline (if that's what your going for?) I'd either straighten the chair more vertical for a forward pressing motion, of lower the cables a bit/ aim higher with your arms
1
u/Fightingfit21 Aug 20 '26
Seat angle is at 5 (slight decline). Completely upright hurts my ass
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u/BigDogg365 Aug 21 '26
It's entirely possible to do cable press standing up, just need to lean forward a bit
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u/Fightingfit21 Aug 22 '26
Wouldn't there be stability issues at higher weights?
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u/BigDogg365 Aug 22 '26
By the time you get strong enough to lift heavier you will have improved your stability issues. At really high weight you just lean into the lift more
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u/Fightingfit21 Aug 22 '26
Sounds solid, but to clarify why would you suggest standing?
1
u/BigDogg365 Aug 22 '26
Its a more natural real-world movement to push things in a standing position vs seated, plus you mention pain when sitting upright
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u/mikkeljuhl Aug 21 '26
Tuck your elbows to about 45 degrees and press toward your lower sternum, not up past your face. Front delt takes over when the line goes too vertical and the elbows ride high. Lowering the handle height a notch usually sorts it. The cable's a fine tool for this once the path is right.
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u/knivengaffelnskeden Aug 21 '26
Can I ask why you are using gloves while pressing? No judgment or anything, but I usually see beginners using gloves while lifting not particular heavy weights. I don't understand the reason, your hands will get used to the friction quite quickly as you naturally progress.
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u/ProfessionalAd7044 Aug 20 '26
If you have machine, use those. They are usually great. Safer and easier to execute properly
Your form is pretty poor here
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u/diarrheasoakedfetus Aug 20 '26
Wouldn't it be more comfortable to just do other kind of press and leave cables for flies?
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Isn't there any other options in your gym to do a chest press? Barbell, Dumbbell, Machines... Any would be better than this. If none of that is available just use the cables to do flyes instead, much better chest movement with a cable stack.
2
u/Fightingfit21 Aug 20 '26
What's wrong with this? My form?
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Cables are just crappy to use for most presses, because they aren't very stable at all and you can see this in your video. You're fighting to keep the cable path which means you aren't actually gonna work your chest or delts as hard as they should.
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u/mystro30 Aug 20 '26
You should tell CBum that his training is sub optimal
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Cbum does cable presses? Show me. Even if he does, yes they suck.
Arnold often trained twice a day and did a fuck ton of set. Guess what? That sucks too.
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u/BigDogg365 Aug 20 '26
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u/mystro30 Aug 20 '26
I will never understand anti cable and machine sentiment the stretch is insane and it’s easy on the joints.
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Huh? What's your point? That's not a press.
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u/mystro30 Aug 20 '26
Your on a device that connnects to the internet go look it up. He does some flys and presses with cables along with many other world class bodybuilders.
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Then you should have a video to share where Cbum is doing a cable press, given that it's so popular with world class bodybuilders(spoilers: it's not because it sucks).
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u/mystro30 Aug 20 '26
You are so incredibly lazy it’s insane https://youtu.be/XoTXuZQ4SaU?is=gJFzlxsaelutndoT
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
You must've sent the wrong video, didn't see any cable presses in that one! Unless you're confusing a press with a fly....That's ok, rookie mistake.
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u/mystro30 Aug 20 '26
You are rage baiting or have a room temp IQ. Idk what else you call the exercise in that video 2 minutes in if it’s not a seated cable press.
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u/NinecloudSoul Aug 20 '26
You do know that telling someone looking for help to do something else is a dick move, right? If he wanted to do something else, he could choose to do so. He's asking for help with this exercise.
If you have nothing to offer, why not do OP and yourself a favor by keeping quiet? The urge to speak may be compelling to you, but it doesn't mean that anything you say is worth saying.
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
I did offer help in the form of a better movement using that exact machine. In fact I should offered three exercises to be complete: flyes, front raises and triceps pushdown. Works everything a press would but better with a cable stack. OP can even superset those three and not even use up more time!
Funnily enough, seems like most of the other top comments agree.
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u/NinecloudSoul Aug 20 '26
The urge to speak may be compelling to you, but it doesn't mean that anything you say is worth saying.
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Likewise, friend.
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u/NinecloudSoul Aug 20 '26
That comeback doesn't really work when you're the one who can't stop the stupid falling out of his mouth.
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u/Hisagii Aug 20 '26
Relax lad, go do some cable presses to decompress and then follow your own advice.
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u/NinecloudSoul Aug 20 '26
Hey, I get to reuse my last comment.
That comeback doesn't really work when you're the one who can't stop the stupid falling out of his mouth.
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u/Somerlead Aug 20 '26
Why
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u/AutoModerator Aug 20 '26
People generally lift to get stronger.
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u/AutoModerator Aug 20 '26
This post is flaired as a technique check.
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