Description
This is an upper body resistance exercise that primarily targets the chest. It is performed using a cable machine and an exercise ball, and works one arm at a time while in an incline position on the ball.
How to Do Cable One Arm Incline Fly on Exercise Ball
- 1Setup
Position an exercise ball about 2-3 feet in front of a low cable pulley, ensuring the cable is set to its lowest position.
- 2Setup
Lie back on the exercise ball with your upper back and head fully supported, allowing your hips to be slightly below your shoulders to create an incline. Plant your feet firmly on the floor, shoulder-width apart, for stability.
- 3Setup
Grab the cable handle with one hand, palm facing forward, and extend your arm straight up over your chest, maintaining a slight bend in your elbow. Use your free hand to stabilize yourself on the ball or rest it on your hip.
- 4
Inhale and slowly lower the cable handle in a wide arc out to the side until you feel a deep stretch in your chest, keeping the slight elbow bend constant throughout the movement.
- 5
Exhale and powerfully pull the handle back up and across your body in the same arc, squeezing your upper chest as your hand returns to the starting position directly over your chest.
- 6
Control the movement throughout, ensuring your torso remains stable on the ball without rocking. Complete all repetitions on one side before switching arms and repeating the sequence.
Tips
- Maintain a slight, consistent bend in your elbow throughout the entire movement to keep constant tension on the chest and protect your elbow joint.
- Focus on squeezing your upper pectoralis major at the top of the movement, imagining you are trying to touch your bicep to your sternum, to maximize muscle contraction.
- Ensure your hips remain stable on the exercise ball; avoid any rocking or using momentum from your lower body to assist the movement.
- Control the eccentric (lowering) phase for 2-3 seconds to enhance muscle fiber recruitment and increase time under tension on the target muscle.
Common Mistakes
- ×Bending and straightening the elbow too much turns this into a pressing motion, which reduces the isolation on the chest; keep a consistent, slight bend in the elbow.
- ×Using excessive weight causes the body to rock or twist off the ball, compromising stability and shifting tension away from the target muscle; reduce the weight and focus on controlled movement.
- ×Not fully extending the arm across the body at the top of the movement limits the peak contraction; ensure your hand crosses the midline of your body to achieve a full chest squeeze.
Variations

Cable One Arm Incline Press on Exercise Ball
Target your upper chest with the Cable One Arm Incline Press on an Exercise Ball. This challenging movement builds unilateral strength and stability while

Cable One Arm Fly on Exercise Ball
Challenge your chest with the Cable One Arm Fly on Exercise Ball. This advanced move isolates the pectoralis major sternal head, enhancing stability and

Cable Incline Fly (on stability ball)
Perform cable incline flyes on a stability ball to target your upper chest and engage your core.

Cable Incline Fly
Sculpt your upper chest with the Cable Incline Fly. This exercise isolates the pectoralis major clavicular head, building strength and definition.
Related Exercises

Cable Lying Fly
Perform the Cable Lying Fly to isolate your chest muscles. Lie on a bench, grab cables, and bring your arms together for a deep pec contraction.

Cable Low Fly
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Cable Incline Bench Press
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Cable Decline Fly
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Assisted Standing Triceps Dip
Build triceps strength with machine assistance that lets you focus on proper dip form at a manageable load.

Dumbbell Complex Push-up Row Clean and Press
The ultimate full-body dumbbell complex combining a push-up, row, clean, and overhead press in one flow.
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