6 Chest exercises to include in workout
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Chest Exercises
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What Are Chest Exercises?
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6 Chest Exercises You Must Perform
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Chest Exercise: Upper
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Chest Exercise: Middle
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Chest Exercise: Lower
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Take Away
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FAQs
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References
Building a strong and well-defined chest is a goal shared by many fitness enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or just starting your fitness journey, incorporating effective chest exercises into your workout routine is essential for developing a powerful upper body. From bench presses to push-ups, there are countless exercises that target the chest muscles from various angles, allowing you to achieve a well-rounded and impressive chest. In this blog, we will explore six chest exercises that are not only highly effective but also offer versatility, ensuring that you can tailor your workout to your specific goals and preferences. Get ready to sculpt and strengthen your chest like never before!
Chest Exercises
Chest exercises play a crucial role in overall upper body development, as they primarily target the pectoral muscles. A strong and well-developed chest not only enhances your physique but also improves your functional strength for everyday activities and sports performance. Additionally, chest exercises engage secondary muscles such as the shoulders and triceps, making them compound movements that provide comprehensive upper-body stimulation.
What Are Chest Exercises?
Chest exercises refer to a variety of physical movements that specifically target the chest muscles, known as the pectoral muscles. These exercises are designed to strengthen and develop the muscles in the chest area, creating a more defined and sculpted appearance. Chest exercises typically involve pushing or pressing movements, such as bench presses, push-ups, and dumbbell flyes. These exercises can be performed using free weights, resistance machines, or bodyweight, depending on the individual's preferences and fitness level. Incorporating a range of chest exercises into a workout routine helps to stimulate the pectoral muscles from different angles, promoting balanced muscle development and overall upper body strength.
6 Chest Exercises You Must Perform
Barbell Bench Press:
The barbell bench press is a classic compound exercise that targets the entire chest, along with the shoulders and triceps. It involves lying on a flat bench, gripping the barbell with an overhand grip, and lowering it to your chest before pressing it back up.
Dumbbell Chest Press:
Similar to the barbell bench press, the dumbbell chest press also works the entire chest. However, it provides a greater range of motion and allows for more independent movement of each arm. Lie on a bench with a dumbbell in each hand, press them up, and then lower them back down to chest level.
Push-Ups:
Push-ups are a versatile bodyweight exercise that effectively targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps. Start in a high plank position with hands shoulder-width apart, lower your body by bending your elbows, and then push back up.
Incline Dumbbell Press:
The incline dumbbell press emphasises the upper chest muscles. Set an adjustable bench to an incline position, lie back with a dumbbell in each hand, and perform a pressing motion, bringing the dumbbells up and together.
Cable Flyes:
Cable flies isolate the chest muscles, particularly the outer chest. Stand in the middle of cable pulleys, hold the handles, and bring your arms forward in a controlled motion, crossing them slightly in front of your body.
Dips:
Dips primarily target the lower chest, triceps, and shoulders. Use parallel bars or dip stations, support your bodyweight with straight arms, lower yourself by bending your elbows, and then push back up.
Chest Exercise: Upper
Incline Barbell Bench Press:
Targets the upper chest muscles by performing the bench press on an inclined bench, emphasising the clavicular head of the pectoralis major.
Incline Dumbbell Flyes:
Similar to the incline press, this exercise isolates the upper chest muscles by using dumbbells and performing a controlled fly motion on an inclined bench.
Push-Up Variations:
By elevating your feet on an elevated surface such as a bench or stability ball, you can increase the emphasis on the upper chest during push-ups.
Overhead Dumbbell Press:
While primarily targeting the shoulders, this exercise also engages the upper chest muscles as stabilisers, providing an additional upper chest workout.
Cable Crossover:
By adjusting the cables to a high position and performing a crossover motion, you can specifically target the upper chest muscles and achieve a good stretch at the top of the movement.
Chest Exercise: Middle
Flat Bench Dumbbell Press:
Targets the middle chest muscles with dumbbells.
Cable Chest Press:
Engages the middle chest muscles using a cable machine.
Wide Grip Push-Ups:
Targets the middle chest fibres by placing hands wider than shoulder-width apart.
Dumbbell Squeeze Press:
Focuses on the middle chest muscles by squeezing dumbbells together during the press.
Chest Dips:
Targets the middle chest muscles and triceps using parallel bars or dip stations.
Chest Press Machine:
Adjustable machine for targeting the middle chest muscles with a pressing motion.
Chest Exercise: Lower
Decline Barbell Bench Press:
This exercise focuses on the lower chest muscles by performing the bench press on a declined bench, emphasising the sternal head of the pectoralis major.
Decline Dumbbell Flyes:
Similar to the decline press, this exercise isolates the lower chest muscles by using dumbbells and performing a controlled flye motion on a declined bench.
Decline Push-Ups:
By placing your feet on an elevated surface and performing push-ups in a declined position, you can increase the emphasis on the lower chest muscles.
Cable Chest Decline Press:
Utilise a cable machine with handles positioned low and perform a pressing motion, pushing the handles downward. This exercise effectively targets the lower chest muscles.
Dips with Forward Lean:
While performing dips, lean your upper body forward to shift the focus onto the lower chest muscles. This modification adds intensity and targets the lower chest area.
Take Away
Incorporating effective chest exercises into your workout routine is essential for building a strong and well-defined chest. Exercises like the barbell bench press, dumbbell chest press, push-ups, and more target the pectoral muscles from various angles, promoting balanced muscle development and functional strength. Whether you aim to increase mass, strength, or tone your chest, including a variety of chest exercises will help you achieve your goals.
FAQs
Q: What are the 4 chest exercises per workout?
A: Some common chest exercises to include in a workout are the barbell bench press, dumbbell flyes, push-ups, and cable chest press.
Q: How long does it take to build chest?
A: The time required to build chest muscles varies from person to person. Factors such as genetics, training intensity, nutrition, and consistency play a role. Generally, it may take several weeks to months of regular training and a balanced diet to see significant improvements in chest muscle development.
References
7 Top Chest Exercises for a Strong and Functional Upper Body, By Travis Edwards, on March 29, 2023
