Best Pectoral Exercises
Aug 20th, 2010 Posted in health | no comment »Your pectoralis major is the largest muscle group in your upper body. Consisting of the inner, lower and upper pectorals, pectoral exercises work all of these muscles to help you develop the kind of ripped, defined chest that really shows off your physique.
Every bodybuilder is aware that there are two things which are necessary to building muscle: exercise which tears down what’s there and plenty of dietary protein to help build new muscle. A proper bodybuilding diet should be made up of at least 25% high quality proteins and 40% natural, unrefined carbohydrates, with the rest being high fiber foods and healthy sources of dietary fats.
One of your workouts each week should focus on pectoral exercises. While you’ll actually work other muscle groups at the same time, pectoral exercises are the goal here. You’ll use body resistance exercises, dumbbells and barbells in these exercises.
A pectoral exercises routine should start with the heaviest weights. Work down from exercises using the heaviest weights to the lightest ones for the best results.
For intermediate bodybuilders, these exercises should generally be done in three sets consisting of eight to ten reps. If you’re more advanced in your bodybuilding, then you may want to do four or five sets of six to eight repetitions instead, using heavier weights.
Bench Press with Barbell, Wide-grip
Lie on the bench, feet flat on the floor and your back kept flat against the bench. Grasp the bar with your hands double shoulder width apart and lower to your upper chest. Pause for a second and then return the bar to its overhead position.
Do one set as a warm up with a medium weight; the rest of the sets should be eight to ten reps with as much weight as you can handle.
Remember to keep your back flat against the bench and perform the exercise with slow, smooth movements. If you arch your back, this could result in injuries due to stress on your neck.
Front Barbell Raise, Incline
Use a lighter barbell for this one. Start by gripping the barbell with your arms down and your palms facing down. Lift the weight overhead until your arms are extended over and behind your head in a smooth motion.
Dumbbell Flies, Flat Bench
Using two moderately heavy dumbbells and lying supine, begin with the dumbbells held straight up. Lower them smoothly while bending your arms slightly at the elbow. The finish point should be with your arms parallel with the floor. Don’t hyperextend your shoulder joints.
Incline Press with Barbell, Wide-Grip
Using an incline bench, begin with the barbell straight overhead. Lower the weight to your upper chest-lower neck area. Use a weight that exhausts your muscles at eight to ten reps.
Decline Press with Barbell, Wide-Grip
Using a decline bench, begin with your arms perpendicular to the floor. Lower the weight slowly to the neck and perform eight to ten reps.
Flat Bench Dumbbell Press
Begin the move with the dumbbells straight overhead and then lower them to your chest keeping your elbows high and your upper arm nearly parallel with your shoulders. Use heavy dumbbells for eight to ten reps.
Flat Bench Dumbbell Pullover Press Lateral
Using medium weight dumbbells and beginning the move with the weights at your chest, rotate the dumbbells past your head towards the floor. In one movement, bring them back to your chest and press them overhead and then immediately perform a lateral fly with your arms bent at a forty-five degree angle.
Push-Ups Hands Together
This one needs no explanation; use a standard push-up position and do slow push-ups, repeating as many times as you can before exhausting your muscles.
And that completes your pectoral exercise workout. Bring on those ripped chest muscles!
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