How to Do Butterfly
Start and end of one clean rep of Butterfly.
Quick facts
| Primary muscle | Chest |
|---|---|
| Secondary muscles | — |
| Equipment | Machine |
| Category | Strength |
How to perform Butterfly
- Sit on the machine with your back flat on the pad.
- Take hold of the handles. Tip: Your upper arms should be positioned parallel to the floor; adjust the machine accordingly. This will be your starting position.
- Push the handles together slowly as you squeeze your chest in the middle. Breathe out during this part of the motion and hold the contraction for a second.
- Return back to the starting position slowly as you inhale until your chest muscles are fully stretched.
- Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.
Muscles worked
- Chest (primary): pushes the arms forward and across the body — your horizontal pressing power.
Sets & reps by goal
| Goal | Sets × reps | Load | Rest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 3–5 × 3–5 | Heavy (~85%+) | 2–3 min |
| Hypertrophy | 3–4 × 8–12 | Moderate (~65–75%) | 60–90 s |
| Endurance | 2–3 × 15–20 | Lighter (~50–60%) | 30–45 s |
Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
Form tips
- Set the shoulder blades down and back and keep them pinned there so the chest, not the front of the shoulders, does the pressing.
- Set the seat and pads so the machine's pivot lines up with the joint you're training before your first rep.
- Treat every rep the same — a repeatable setup and bar path is what lets you add weight safely over time.
- Warm up the pattern with a couple of lighter, submaximal sets before your working sets.
Common mistakes
- Flaring the elbows straight out to the sides, which puts the shoulder joint in a weak, vulnerable spot.
- Leaving the seat or range on a setting that forces the joint into an awkward angle.
- Chasing weight jumps before the current load feels solid on every rep.
Frequently asked questions
What muscles does Butterfly work?
Butterfly is a focused movement that primarily works the chest.
What equipment do I need for Butterfly?
Butterfly needs the corresponding weight-stack or plate-loaded machine.
How many sets and reps should I do for Butterfly?
It depends on your goal: about 3–5 sets of 3–5 heavy reps for strength, 3–4 sets of 8–12 for muscle growth, or 2–3 sets of 15–20 for endurance. Pick the row that matches your goal. If you're newer, anchor in the hypertrophy range while you groove the form.
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