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Chest Workout Routines
Barbell Bench Press - Medium Grip
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Triceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Barbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
What NOT To Do:
Tips: Lie on a flat bench and firmly position your feet flat on the floor a little more than shoulder width apart. Keep your back flat on the bench! Using a grip broader than shoulder width, hold the barbell above your body, then lower slowly to the middle of your chest. Without bouncing the weight off your chest, drive the barbell up over the middle of your chest until your arms are straight and your elbows are locked. Lower the bar down slowly.
Barbell Incline Bench Press - Medium Grip
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Triceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Barbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: Set the incline bench at about a 45 degree angle. Sit on the bench with your feet flat on the floor a little more than shoulder width apart. Position your back firmly against the bench. Using a grip slightly wider than shoulder width, hold the bar over your upper chest with your arms straight. Slowly lower the bar and make slight contact with your upper chest area. Drive the weight straight up over your chest until your elbows are locked, or close to it.
Bench Press - With Bands
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Biceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Other
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: For this you will need a bench of some sort with a leg you can lift. Secure the band under the leg nearest your head, lie down on the bench, and press up like you would a barbell bench press.
Bent-Arm Barbell Pullover
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Triceps, Shoulders, Lats
Equipment: Barbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: Lie on a bench, head over the end, with your feet flat on the floor. Hold bar with hands about 14" apart. Keep elbows in at all times! In a semi-circular motion, lower the bar to the floor slowly and as far as comfortable. Pull bar back using the same path. Keep your head down and do not raise your hips. Can also be done with dumbbells or with your arms straight.
Bent-Arm Dumbbell Pullover
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Triceps, Shoulders, Lats
Equipment: Dumbbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: Lie on a bench, head over the end, with your feet flat on the floor. Lower weights in a semicircular motion towards floor. Go as low as you can without pain. Go back up using the same path. Keep your elbows in! Can also be done with your arms straight, or with two dumbbells (one in each hand).
Butterfly
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: None
Equipment: Machine
Mechanics Type: Isolation
Tips: Also known as the Pec Deck Fly. Sit at the machine with your back flat on the pad. Place your forearms on padded lever. Position your upper arms approximately parallel to the ground. Push levers together slowly and squeeze your chest in the middle. Return until chest muscles are stretched fully. Repeat.
Cable Crossover
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Shoulders
Equipment: Cable
Mechanics Type: Isolation
Tips: Hold the stirrup cable attachments that are attached to a high pulley. Stand about one foot in front of the weight stacks with a handle in both hands. Lean slightly forward and put one foot in front of the other (for balance). Your front knee should be slightly bent. Bring your hands around and in front of your body in a hugging motion with your elbows slightly bent. You should be pulling down at a slight angle. Focus on using just your chest muscles. When your hands meet directly in front of your midsection, squeeze the muscles and then slowly return to the starting position. Your elbows should stay in the same slightly bent position the whole time. Do not walk out too far in front of the pulley system or bend over too much!
Close-Grip Barbell Bench Press
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Triceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Barbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: Just like the Barbell Bench Press but with your hands only 12 - 14" apart, centered over your body. Works more of the inner pectorals and triceps.
Cross Over - With Bands
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Biceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Other
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: Secure band around a stationary post (a poll or something of the like), step back enough to begin tension. Stand facing away from post with arms raised to sides, palms forward. Keeping your arms straight, bring them across your chest.
Decline Barbell Bench Press
Exercise Data
Main Muscle Worked: Chest
Other Muscles Worked: Triceps, Shoulders
Equipment: Barbell
Mechanics Type: Compound
Tips: Lie on a decline bench, hold barbell about 6" wider than shoulder width. Lower bar to about 3" below nipples. Raise bar all the way up while keeping your elbows out and your chest high. Lower weight with complete control. Keep your head on the bench and do not arch your back. Can also be done with a close or wide grip, or with DUMBBELLS.
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