TETSUCable Judo Flip vs Full Maltese
The Cable Judo Flip and the Full Maltese both train the abs as their primary muscle. The Cable Judo Flip uses a cable while the Full Maltese is bodyweight-only. Here is how they compare and when to pick each.
Side-by-side comparison
| Cable Judo Flip | Full Maltese | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary muscle | abs | abs |
| Body part | waist | waist |
| Supporting muscles | obliques and shoulders | shoulders and chest |
| Equipment | cable | bodyweight |
| Steps in our guide | 8 | 5 |
How each one starts
Cable Judo Flip — first steps
- Stand facing the cable machine with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Hold the cable handle with both hands at chest level, palms facing down.
Full Maltese — first steps
- Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and your arms extended straight out to the sides.
- Slowly lean forward, keeping your arms straight, until your upper body is parallel to the ground.
Full step-by-step guides are linked below.
Which should you choose?
The Cable Judo Flip keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion. The Full Maltese 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 abs adapting.
Full form guides
Common questions
Is the Cable Judo Flip better than the Full Maltese?
Neither is universally better — both train the abs as the primary mover. The Cable Judo Flip keeps constant tension on the muscle through the whole range of motion, while the Full Maltese 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 Judo Flip and the Full Maltese in the same program?
Yes, but usually not in the same session — they overlap heavily on the abs. 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 Judo Flip and the Full Maltese work the same muscles?
The primary muscle is the same: the abs. Supporting muscles differ slightly — obliques and shoulders for the Cable Judo Flip versus shoulders and chest for the Full Maltese.
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.