Guide To Buying A Cable Crossover
A cable crossover machine is essentially a large stand with adjustable pulleys on either side. It lets you incorporate a variety of isolation exercises and a few compound exercises into your workout routine. It can be a significant investment, so it is worth it do some research before buying one.
Product Comparison Table
5,689.00
2,650.00
539.99What To Look for
02/04/2020
Consider how much floor and ceiling space you have.
- A regular cable crossover is a very tall and wide machine and will take up a lot of space.
- Find out the exact height and width of the machine you want to buy, and compare it with the floor and ceiling space you can spare.
The more the pulleys, the creamier and stabler the motion will be.
- Cable crossovers can differ in the number of pulleys they have. Machines with a relatively higher number of pulleys will keep the cable motion smooth and stable during the movement.
- Keep in mind, the more pulleys a machine has, the more expensive it is likely to be.
Use the reduction ratio to determine how much weight you’ll need.
- The reduction ratio tells you whether you’re lifting the weight mentioned on the weight stack or less than that.
- For example, a reduction ratio of 2:1 means 100 lbs of weight is actually coming out to 50 lbs of resistance, so you’ll need a 200 lbs weight stack for 100 lbs of resistance. Whereas a reduction ratio of 1:1 means 100 lbs of weight is 100 lbs of resistance.
- Generally, a higher number of pulleys results in a higher reduction ratio, so find out the reduction ratio to decide how heavy a weight stack you’ll need.
Must-have accessories.
To get those most out of your cable crossover, some accessories worth considering are:
- Single grip handles are normally supplied with the cable crossover machine but in case they aren’t, you will need to buy them separately to perform the cable cross or cable fly exercise.
- A straight handle will let you perform tricep pushdowns and bicep curls.
- A rope handle will let you add variety to tricep pushdowns and bicep curls.
Top Picks
Best Commercial Grade Cable Crossover
FREEMOTION GENESIS F624 DUAL CABLE CROSS
For $5,689.00
- Eye catching design
- Unique design offers freedom of movement
- 10 year warranty on frame
- Space saving design
Best Full-size Cable Crossover For Home Use
Body SOLID GDCC250
For purchase
- Cables can swivel 180 degrees
- Lifetime warranty for home use
- Easy and intuitive to use
Best Cable Crossover For Small Spaces
XMark XM-7626
For $2,650.00
- Smooth pulley system
- High quality build
- 19 adjustable positions
- Overpriced
Best Cable Crossover On A Budget
Valor Fitness BD-61
For $539.99
- Adequate positions to adjust pulleys
- Includes a lat pulldown and rowing system
- Excellent price
- Uses plates instead of a weight stack
Common Questions
Q:What is the difference between a cable crossover, cable machine, and cable crossover machine?
All these terms refer to the same thing. This bulky machine is a large stand with adjustable pulleys on both sides. Different cable crossover machines have a different number of pulleys. More pulleys mean smoother motion of the cables. These machines have adjustable grips and a multi-position chinning bar. The wide range of cable movements means that this machine helps you in a lot of strength training workouts.
Q:How do I do a cable crossover?
This isolation exercise helps you build the perfect pecs.
- Raise the pulleys above the level of your head.
- Next, grab a pulley in each hand, stand in the center with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keeping your back straight, bend your body slightly forwards. You can keep one foot planted in the front to increase balance.
- Keep your core engaged as you pull the handles down and across your torso.
- In the fully contracted position, squeeze your chest muscles, exhale, and then return your arms to the starting position
Q:What is the difference between a cable fly and cable crossover?
The cable crossover is a variation of the cable fly. The only difference is that the cable fly involves keeping the pulleys in the middle, just above your shoulder height, whereas when you perform the exercise by keeping the pulleys either high or low, it becomes cable crossover. Think of cable fly as being a flat dumbbell fly and crossover being either an incline or decline dumbbell fly.
Q:How do I target my upper chest with the cable crossover machine?
The beauty of the cable crossover machine is that you can adjust the height of the pulley depending upon the muscle group you are targeting. To add definition to your upper chest, you must keep the pulleys at a higher position. Next, you pull the handles down and across your torso.
Q:How do I target my lower chest with the cable crossover machine?
To target your lower chest, keep the pulleys at the lowest possible position and then bring them up and in front of your chest.
Q:Why can't I use the pulley on my home gym instead?
The home-gym machine has just one pulley. To perform exercises like cable crossover, cable fly, and other two-arm exercises, you need two pulleys. The home-gym machine is suitable for performing single-arm exercises like tricep extensions, bicep curls, or even pulldown exercises. However, you won’t be able to perform crossovers and fly-exercises.
Q:Do I need any attachments with my cable crossover?
The cable crossover is a versatile machine that you can use to do a full-body workout. An array of exercises can help you work on your chest, quads, glutes, back, and core. For cable chest fly and shoulder press, you require hand grips. For tricep pulldown exercises, you require a pulldown rope or a rotating straight bar. Other attachments include the Double D row handle and V handle.
Online Sources:
- http://ironcompany-fitness-news.com
- https://musclekiss.com/cable-crossover-machine-the-ultimate-guide/#tab-con-6
- https://www.ironcompany.com/blog/facts-you-need-to-consider-when-buying-a-cable-crossover-machine/
- https://garagegympower.com/best-cable-crossover-machine/
- https://healthandfitnesshistory.com/best-exercise-equipment/cable-crossover-machines
- https://athleticmuscle.net/cable-crossover-machines/