Exercise guide
Arm Double Crossover
- Intermediate
- Isolation
- Rep-based
- Chest
- Shoulders
- Upper arms
- Waist
The Arm Double Crossover is a dynamic isolation movement designed to improve shoulder mobility and activate the pectorals and deltoids through a horizontal plane. It is highly effective as a warm-up to increase blood flow and flexibility in the chest and shoulder girdle.
Reviewed by the Crucible team · Updated June 2026
Muscles worked
Setup
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and a slight bend in your knees.
- Extend your arms straight out to your sides at shoulder height, palms facing forward.
- Engage your core and pull your shoulder blades slightly back and down.
How to do it
- Swing both arms horizontally toward the center of your chest in a smooth, controlled motion.
- Cross your arms over each other in front of your body, alternating which arm is on top with each repetition.
- Inhale as you swing your arms back to the wide starting position, feeling a stretch across your chest.
- Exhale as you bring your arms together, focusing on a rhythmic and steady tempo.
Form checklist
- Keep your arms parallel to the floor at shoulder height throughout the movement.
- Maintain a tall, upright posture without leaning forward or backward.
- Avoid shrugging your shoulders; keep them relaxed and away from your ears.
- Keep a soft bend in your elbows to avoid joint strain.
Pro tips
- Focus on actively squeezing your chest muscles as your arms cross the midline of your body.
- Control the momentum on the backward swing to emphasize the stretch in the pectorals rather than just bouncing.
- Imagine you are trying to reach behind your back with your fingertips during the cross to maximize the stretch in the rear deltoids.
Make it harder
- Hold light micro-weights or water bottles to add slight resistance to the movement.
- Increase the speed of the repetitions while maintaining perfect control to turn it into a high-intensity cardio-mobility hybrid.
Frequently asked
- What muscles does the arm double crossover work?
- The arm double crossover primarily targets the biceps, deltoids, and triceps, and also works the abs and serratus anterior as secondary muscles.
- What equipment do you need for the arm double crossover?
- The arm double crossover requires no equipment — just your body weight.
- Is the arm double crossover good for beginners?
- The arm double crossover is rated intermediate. Build a base with simpler variations first, then progress to it with light load and strict form.
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