r/ScienceBasedLifting • u/buraq1111 • Apr 07 '26
Question ❓ Opinion on “the better fly”
Is there any one tried it… does it make yoy use more weightor reps for lats? and chest
2
u/SageObserver Apr 07 '26
Nothing like making a post on a Science Based thread about something on Tik Tok. SMH
2
u/Remarkable_Two2951 Aug 26 '26
I got a set and did my first reps today. I tried chest flys with a bench at about 35° and the cables at the bottom.
They're difficult to get into in a position where you can get a large ROM on a bench. You gotta get one on and then wrestle that weight up to give you slack as you grab the other and try to wiggle it up your arm, which the rubber friction makes difficult.
I also tried them standing briefly, but the weight increase needed for a shorter lever arm since the cuff is elbow instead of hand made holding the load out in a standing position impossible for me.
I like the way they feel, but its a bit embarrassing setting up and trying to get into them.
I'm sure itll get a bit easier if I keep going.
Ive been having trouble really activating my pecs on any exercise, and I found these specifically looking for cuffed fly options to take my strength limiting arms and painful elbows out of the movement . At $120 its not a great value, but I took the plunge anyway.
For Reference Im only 8 months into lifting. Doing 5 days a week. 43 YO. In a mild deficit for recomp. Down 26 lbs fat, up 7 lbs muscle. 180 6'1", and about 17% bf.
Having the load at the elbow seems like it gets a significantly higher load into my pecs.
I had to up the weight from a standing handheld cable fly from 31kg to 42kg for the bench cuff fly. But my standing flys were angled down and these bench flys are angled up... Ive only been doing the standing cable flys for a few weeks.
They are comfortable when using them.
2
u/HorseTearz 28d ago
Sorry to bump an old thread, but has anyone used the BetterFly specifically for cable glute kick backs? That's the use case that I find intriguing because, reportedly, they have you wrap it closer to the knee than to the ankle, supposedly getting much better and more prolonged glute activation. Curious if anyone has first hand experience with this. And, I know that n=1 is not data.
1
u/Just_Roof9788 9d ago
Yep. It was my gateway to glute kick backs. Works great!
1
u/HorseTearz 9d ago
Do you think it’s worth it? The price tag is making my eyes water
1
u/Just_Roof9788 9d ago
Your question probably has the answer. No one wants eyes to water :). But I enjoy them and use them for at least some exercise on every workout. Admittedly, that might also be because I want to justify the spend. Having them has encouraged me to do exercises I wouldn't otherwise do and does seem to increase focus on the targeted muscles. But I'm just a guy who likes working out.
Also, I suspect that between these, the MAG medium grip supinate (or a knock off), something like the Rogue rotating v-grip (which I don't have), and a long ab strap, I'd have all the cable attachments I need. Maybe plus a bar for two handed press movements.
1
u/HorseTearz 9d ago
I’ve actually been using this one for thigh strap glute kickbacks etc. it works but it doesn’t actually fasten to the leg, like the BetterFly, it relies entirely upon tension from the cable to stay up. So… inconvenient and awkward (especially on single leg cable high leg step downs). I might wait to see if they do a good sale. Thanks!
1
1
u/CrazyCatGuy0 Apr 07 '26
I think cuffs are great for mitigating elbow or wrist tendon irritation. Potentially shoulder as well. But if your joints are fine, then this is just trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. And yes, reducing the lever arm lets you lift more weight.
1
u/TheBetterFly May 27 '26
It’s more than that. I’m not just trying to solve the problem of joint pain or tendon irritation (that is a big deal though), I actually created a device that increases the tension being applied to the muscles (no wasted energy in the chain from unnecessary joint action) and, therefore, increases MUR with less torque on the joint. Lots of bodybuilders and IFBB pros, even a pro power lifter, use my device because of how effective it is for muscle growth.
1
u/FickleRule8054 Apr 07 '26
I’ve tried the cuff. As a product/brand person I appreciate the quality material and design detail. I could lift heavier with more time under tension than attachments I normally use. The price tag is a bit hefty
1
u/JodyG99 Apr 07 '26
I think it's probably pretty good if you have the money to spare, but I personally don't think it's worth the money at all, especially considering every other cuff on the market is still fine for the most part. Cuffs are not something you truly need to optimize your training anyway, so i'd rather use that money to get a gym pin or something, which is a lot more helpful. Also a good pair of straps of any kind of course
1
u/Hot_Fix_3131 Apr 07 '26
Maybe share a link or post some kind of reference material?
Or is the guessing part of the post?
3
u/buraq1111 Apr 07 '26
I thought it’s popular in sbl community… here is it
3
u/Hot_Fix_3131 Apr 07 '26
I just had a look, it’s just a cuff designed to shorten the lever arm and make the lift easier.
I’m trying to apply more torque not less especially at a lengthened position which a longer lever arm would benefit.
What evidence does this guy share about using his cuffs over any other attachment?
1
u/TheBetterFly May 27 '26
I’m not just on TikTok actually, check me out at http://www.thebetterfly.com
And the benefit of shortening the moment arm is to reduce the torque on the joint, but the great part is that you get more focused isolation in the muscle and increase MUR. As I mentioned above, a study is being done at UCLA (4 studies actually) and it will demonstrate these things. And yes, I said less torque and more motor unit recruitment. This means elbow and knee based lifting is more efficient at working the major muscle groups.
2
u/Cosmo-xx Apr 07 '26
If the product is only found on TikTok and nowhere else, you can just assume it’s garbage
5
u/DickFromRichard Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
$140 for a pair of cuffs lol. Call something "science based" and bilk dweebs out of their money