Specific exercise question

[jbprojects]

To occasionally change things up, I do an exercise on the Life Fitness Adjustable Cable Crossover unit where I have two individual handles on the inside cables, with the pulleys at the highest position. starting position is arms fully extended, parallel to the ground (like an "iron cross" in gymnastics). I then pull straight down (in an arc) to sides. Back to horizontal, and that's a rep.

question is, what are the muscle groups getting the bulk of the work? I know what I THINK I'm working -- or intending to work, but I'm not sure, and neither is trainer.

[Boss Man]

That just sounds like basic Cable Crossovers, in which case the primary focus is Chest, but there may be mild secondary exertion on the Delts, Arms, Traps and Lats.

If you are doing Cable crossovers; although Crossover machines will do more than just that and you trainer doesn't know what muscles it is targeting, I'd consider a new trainer. Crossovers are at best an intermediate and potentially beginner exercise. Even if it was an intermediate level exercise, I'd expect that would be in your routine after 3-6 months.

If I am not describing the exercise you are doing, then apologies to you and your trainer for failing to identify the exercise based on your description.

If you know the name of the exercise, perhaps you could post either some google image, or a youtube video, to give visual ident on the exercise, to verify if supposition was true or false.

Not seeing you perform it, means interpretation of what you described, might be innaccurate .

[jbprojects]

Bossman --

No, not crossovers. Picture me as a "capital T," with arms as the cross, then just pulling hands down to sides with arms remaining straight, and returning to the "T." I get a noticeable flex in traps, but also feel lats and, to a lesser extent, chest. Maybe it's just a "general upper body" exercise... Like I said, I throw it in every third workout or so for a change of pace from one of other shoulder lifts.

[Boss Man]

It sounds like your doing Side Raises / Side Laterals, using a cable crossover machine. In which case you're working the rear delts, rotator cuff, traps and possibly lateral delts. You may potentially to some extent, be utilising the scalenes, levator scapulae, serratus area, splenius capitis and the upper areas of the spinal erectors and multifidus.

[jbprojects]

...except the pulley is up high, and the positive tension is on the downward motion... I was thinking of describing it as a "reverse lateral raise, if that helps.

[Boss Man]

Well Side laterals stimulate the Rear Delts primarily, but other muscles could include some of the ones mentioned, I.E. Lateral Delts, Scalenes, Levator Scapulae, Rotator Cuff, Upper Erectors, Splenious Capitis and Traps.

[jbprojects]

Boss Man -- Thanks. I had one of the more experienced folks at the gym give it a shot today, and he indicated much what you did. Also said that I'd change the focus slightly if I pulled hands either slightly in front or behind. Thanks again for your help.