Exercise library · Chest

How to Do Butterfly

Step-by-step instructions, muscles worked and workouts that use the butterfly.

How to do it

1. Sit on the machine with your back flat on the pad.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Return back to the starting position slowly as you inhale until your chest muscles are fully stretched.
5. Repeat for the recommended amount of repetitions.

Form tips

• Start light and own the movement before adding weight.
• Control the lowering phase — don't drop into it.
• Keep breathing; exhale on the hardest part.
• Stop if you feel sharp pain (different from muscle burn).

Workouts with this exercise

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Smith Machine Bench PressChest

Smith Machine Decline PressChest

Leverage Decline Chest PressChest

Gear for this exercise

Gym duffel bagShoe compartment and space for everything.See it on Amazon →Gym glovesBetter grip and fewer calluses.See it on Amazon →

Exercise photos and instructions: free-exercise-db (public domain). Animation made from the real start and end photos.