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Last updated February 2, 2026
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shoulders
Reverse Fly - Seated (Machine)
Sit with your chest against the pad. Push the handles back in a wide arc. Focus on the muscles behind your shoulders, not your traps.
Quick facts
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mechanic
- Isolation
- Force
- Pull
- Type
- Strength
- Injury Risk
- Low
- Hypertrophy
- High
- Calorie Burn
- Low-Medium
Muscle focus
Primary and secondary muscle groups targeted by this movement.
Primary
rear shoulders
Secondary
upper back / rhomboids
Equipment & setup
What you need and how to position yourself before starting.
Equipment
weight machines / selectorized
Movement pattern
Bilateral
Posture
Seated
Tracking parameters
repsweight
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these cues to master proper technique and stay safe through every rep.
- Step 1Setup
- Sit down on the reverse fly machine and adjust the seat height so that the handles are at shoulder level.
- Ensure that your back is pressed against the backrest and your feet are flat on the floor.
- Step 2Adjust the Machine
- Set the weight on the machine according to your fitness level.
- Make sure the arm pads are positioned comfortably against your arms.
- Step 3Position Your Arms
- Grasp the handles with your palms facing each other.
- Keep your elbows slightly bent and your arms extended in front of you.
- Step 4Engage Your Core
- Engage your core muscles to stabilize your body throughout the movement.
- Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears.
- Step 5Perform the Movement
- Slowly pull the handles out to the sides, squeezing your shoulder blades together.
- Keep your elbows at shoulder height and avoid using momentum.
- Step 6Return to Start
- Gradually return the handles to the starting position, maintaining control.
- Do not let the weights touch down completely before starting the next repetition.
- Step 7Repeat
- Continue to perform the exercise for the desired number of repetitions.
- Focus on maintaining proper form throughout each rep.
- Step 8Finish the Exercise
- After completing your reps, carefully release the handles and sit back in a relaxed position.
- Make sure to adjust the machine back to its original settings if necessary.