Hey Guys!
Toby Buttle here with Abs After 40.
Competing as a college athlete as well as being a former US Marine, fitness has always been an important part of my life. Now, since reaching middle age, I can say that I’m in the best shape ever, even at the age of 60. Today, we’re going to go through my favorite upper-body cable routine.
When executing these workouts, make sure to choose a weight setting you are confident in executing 10-12 repetitions with – no need to go heavy on this workout since we’ll be focusing on control and muscle contraction. Make sure to have your first set be a warm up, that way you can better figure out the weight you want to use and let your muscles get warm for the movement. Let’s get started:
0:51 – Cable Crossover; High to Low – Attach the stirrup handles to the pulleys and position both pulleys to the very top of the station. Get to the start position by standing centered between each pulley, grabbing both handles at the top and take 2 steps forward. Your feet should be positioned almost in a lunge with the front knee bent, back straight and arms bent slightly at the elbow across your body with palms facing one another. Begin the movement by letting the weights descend on the stack and your elbows travel back, keeping arms slightly bent. Once your elbows reach past your torso, return your arms back to the start position. Make sure to keep constant tension on your chest and front deltoids throughout the whole set.
2:36 – Cable Chest Press – Now position the pulleys lower on the cable station, just below shoulder level. The start position is similar to that of the first cable crossover, only this time with palms facing the floor and hands together. Imagine hugging a wide tree trunk with your arms, keeping them bent slightly at the elbow and in the same position throughout the movement. Let the elbows begin to travel back and the weights return to the stack. Once the elbows reach behind the torso, return your arms to the start position.
3:55 – Bent Over Cable Crossover – Return the pulleys to the very top position on the machine. Similar to our first cable crossover exercise, grab the handles and take a step forward. Your arms should be slightly bent and in front of your body, with fists together at the knuckles. The key difference while executing a Bent Over Cable Crossover is making sure that your body is bent at the hip with your back flat and parallel to the ground. From the start position, let the weights begin to return to the stack, stopping once the elbows reach behind your torso and then returning to the start.
5:24 – Cable Pullover – We’re only going to need 1 pulley this time`. Make sure the pulley is at the very top and switch out the handle for a straight bar attachment. Get into the start position by grabbing the straight bar with an overhand grip at shoulders width and take a step back, pulling your hands down to your lower thighs. Make sure your elbows and wrists are straight, knees slightly bent and your back flat with the torso at 45-degree angle bent at the waist. Begin by slowly releasing the weight, letting your arms reach as high as above the shoulder, then pulling the weight back down to the start position.
Thanks for training upper body using cables with me today everyone. In the comments below, let me know what other cable workouts you guys are having trouble doing, that way I can help steer you in the right direction and help you out. Always remember…it’s never too late to have the body you deserve!
Train Hard!
-Toby Buttle
Get Shredded Like Toby Here: http://go2.sixpackshortcuts.com/SH2ZN
P.S. – If this helped you out with your cable workouts or know a friend who could use the help, make sure to like and share it here: http://youtu.be/PLnerwvi4Zo