Posts Tagged ‘Chest Exercises’

Best Chest Exercises

Saturday, March 8th, 2008

If you want to achieve stronger and better looking pectorals, try doing the best chest exercises.  These exercises are basic and are proven effective in strengthening the chest muscles along with the other muscle groups of the shoulders.  A regular workout usually consists of these exercises.

One of the best chest exercises commonly done by fitness freaks is the bench press.  Others refer it as the chest press.  This exercise works out the major muscle groups of the chest, shoulder muscles and the triceps.  To do the basic form of the bench press, lie down on the bench while holding the weight directly over the chest.  The elbows should be bent at 90 degrees.  Press the arms going straight up without allowing them to lock and then slowly lower them back down towards the starting position.

Several variations can be done with the bench press.  You can make use of a barbell or dumbbells.  You can also use resistance bands and perform this exercise standing up.  These are just some of the possible variations.  If you want to start doing this exercise, start from the basic position and then slowly progress to more difficult variations as your muscles get strengthened.

The push up is also one of the best chest exercises.  Body-builders and people performing regular workouts usually incorporate several rounds of push ups to strengthen their chest muscles.  This exercise can work out almost every muscle in the body, most importantly the arms and chest muscles.

A basic push up is done by placing both hands shoulder-width apart on the floor.  Support your body with your knees or toes.  With both hands fixed on the floor, bend elbows and go down as far as your arms can support you and then push your body up again without allowing your elbows to lock in position.  It is more difficult to do push ups on your toes.  You can also create several variations for push ups by using a gym ball to incorporate balance training.  You can also choose to add resistance as you progress.

The chest fly is another exercise to strengthen the chest muscles.  To do this exercise, lie down on a bench with weights on both hands which are held straight up, palms facing in.  Slowly lower weights out on both sides with the elbows bent a little.  Lower weights up to shoulder level only and then bring the weights up again over the chest.

These are just some of the exercises which you can perform during your fitness routines to strengthen your pectoral muscles.  They are the best chest exercises and you can create multiple variations from them using advanced techniques and other forms of resistance.