TETSU

Cable Incline Fly vs Push And Pull Bodyweight

The Cable Incline Fly and the Push And Pull Bodyweight both train the pectorals as their primary muscle. The Cable Incline Fly uses a cable while the Push And Pull Bodyweight is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.

Head to head

Side-by-side comparison

Cable Incline FlyPush And Pull Bodyweight
Primary musclepectoralspectorals
Body partchestchest
Supporting musclesdeltoids and tricepstriceps and deltoids
Equipmentcablebodyweight
Steps in our guide66
Setup

How each one starts

Cable Incline Fly — first steps

  1. Adjust the cable machine to a low position and attach the handles.
  2. Sit on an incline bench with your back against the pad and feet flat on the floor.

Push And Pull Bodyweight — first steps

  1. Start in a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart and your body in a straight line.
  2. Lower your chest towards the ground by bending your elbows, keeping your body straight.

Full step-by-step guides are linked below.

Decision

Which should you choose?

The Cable Incline Fly keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. The Push And Pull Bodyweight needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. If your gym has both options, neither is a wrong choice: pick the one that feels strongest through a full range, and swap after 6 to 8 weeks to keep the pectorals adapting.

Guides

Full form guides

Answers

Common questions

Is the Cable Incline Fly better than the Push And Pull Bodyweight?

Neither is universally better — both train the pectorals as the primary mover. The Cable Incline Fly keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion, while the Push And Pull Bodyweight needs no equipment and scales through leverage, tempo and reps. Choose based on your equipment and which movement you can progress consistently.

Can I do both the Cable Incline Fly and the Push And Pull Bodyweight in the same program?

Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the pectorals. A common setup is one as your main movement and the other on a second training day, or alternating them block by block.

Do the Cable Incline Fly and the Push And Pull Bodyweight work the same muscles?

The primary muscle is the same: the pectorals. Supporting muscles differ slightly — deltoids and triceps for the Cable Incline Fly versus triceps and deltoids for the Push And Pull Bodyweight.

Track it in Tetsu

Tetsu tracks both movements separately, keeps your PRs per exercise, and tells you which one is actually progressing. Free to start.