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Exercising Your Chest

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Chest Exercises: Form and Safety

The Chest Muscles

The chest consists of two major muscles: the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, usually referred to collectively as the pecs.

Pectoralis major: A thick muscle that’s shaped like a fan; makes up the majority of the chest muscle
Pectoralis minor: A narrow triangular muscle that lies beneath the pectoralis major

Together, these two muscles provide stability and enable you to make pushing or wrapping motions with your arms.

Benefits of Strengthening Your Chest

Strengthening your chest will help improve your:

Health: A strong chest lowers the risk of shoulder injuries. Working large muscle groups such as your chest also helps you burn calories more quickly.
Performance: Strong chest muscles improve your athletic performance and increase your ability to do everyday tasks, especially those involving pushing.
Appearance: In men, developed pecs are seen as a sign of strength and fitness. In women, a toned chest makes the breasts look firmer and fuller.

Before you start any chest workout regimen, be sure to abandon the following common misconceptions:

Men should focus exclusively on their chests: Since pecs tend to be equated with strength and power, men often exercise their chest more than the rest of their bodies. But overdeveloped pecs can make the body look out of proportion: chest workouts should be just one part of a broad and varied total body routine.
Chest workouts are for men only: Women derive the same benefits from chest workouts that men do. If you’re a woman interested in strength training, make chest exercises a regular part of your workouts.