Nov 13, 2013 6:26 PM GMT
Which exercises/routines do you think are best for developing some great pecs?
4xsandbetter saidPush ups are both simple and effective. Trying doing a variety of them -- regular, military, wide hands, narrow hands, declines, etc.
Nivek saidI like dumbbell chest routines, some guys like cables, some prefer straight bar, and some like pushups. You really just have to put yourself on a workout and change it up every month and experiment to find out what works best for you. The common wisdom these days is to change things up regularly just to keep the muscles confused -- so they are confused into thinking they need to grow more.
FireDoor211 saidNivek saidI like dumbbell chest routines, some guys like cables, some prefer straight bar, and some like pushups. You really just have to put yourself on a workout and change it up every month and experiment to find out what works best for you. The common wisdom these days is to change things up regularly just to keep the muscles confused -- so they are confused into thinking they need to grow more.
I've heard this, about muscle confusion. I try to change it up every couple weeks. Do you think increasing weight is enough of a change or should the whole routine change?
I alternate between cables, dumbbells, barbells and push ups. I really like how I feel after cables, I feel pretty great after a barbell set too.
Alexxx5 saidFireDoor211 saidNivek saidI like dumbbell chest routines, some guys like cables, some prefer straight bar, and some like pushups. You really just have to put yourself on a workout and change it up every month and experiment to find out what works best for you. The common wisdom these days is to change things up regularly just to keep the muscles confused -- so they are confused into thinking they need to grow more.
I've heard this, about muscle confusion. I try to change it up every couple weeks. Do you think increasing weight is enough of a change or should the whole routine change?
I alternate between cables, dumbbells, barbells and push ups. I really like how I feel after cables, I feel pretty great after a barbell set too.
Have a repertoire of the following exercises, and choose 5-6 exercises @ 3-4 sets per exercise:
Press
Wide press
Incline press
Decline press
Fly
Incline fly
Decline fly
Cable cross
Dips
Pullovers
Pushup wide or narrow grip
Then alternate your press and fly exercises among cable/barbell/dumbbell as often as you feel. This will hit your pecs from all angles, fill you out and square you off, and get you super pumped.
Bodybuilding is NOT powerlifting-- it's sculpting, so don't get hung up on always having to increase your weight in the same old routine. You'll waste time and grow stale.
The_Perfect_Ashlar saidPush ups. Period.
ThatSwimmerGuy saidAs fun as they are I start with 50 pushups every morning when I wake up, also I usually add them into a superset, or between sets at the gym.
4xsandbetter saidFireDoor211 said4xsandbetter saidPush ups are both simple and effective. Trying doing a variety of them -- regular, military, wide hands, narrow hands, declines, etc.
Did you get yours mostly from push ups?
I do mostly bodyweight exercises. So, pushups, pullups, and situps are a regular part of the routine.
I guess it depends on how big you want to get as well. In my case, I just go for definition instead of size.
LittleDudeWithMuscles saidI use a device called "The Perfect Pushup," two cylinders that rotate as you do the pushup. You can get them on line. They're great for pumping your chest.
FireDoor211 saidLittleDudeWithMuscles saidI use a device called "The Perfect Pushup," two cylinders that rotate as you do the pushup. You can get them on line. They're great for pumping your chest.
Really, I thought they were just a gimmicky work out device? Hmm.
LittleDudeWithMuscles saidFireDoor211 saidLittleDudeWithMuscles saidI use a device called "The Perfect Pushup," two cylinders that rotate as you do the pushup. You can get them on line. They're great for pumping your chest.
Really, I thought they were just a gimmicky work out device? Hmm.
I thought so too. . . then I started using them and I really like the results. . . they're very inexpensive, I think $40. . . give them a try
4xsandbetter saidPush ups are both simple and effective. Trying doing a variety of them -- regular, military, wide hands, narrow hands, declines, etc.
BlackJockTN saidI tried Perfect Push-up for awhile and discovered that it gave me some terrible lingering headaches! I stopped using it and they went away. My body must be weird.
Jard_03 said4xsandbetter saidPush ups are both simple and effective. Trying doing a variety of them -- regular, military, wide hands, narrow hands, declines, etc.
I agree push-ups are better for me than any bench. When I do them regularly I get better muscle endurance as well as size.
Tempuro saidJard_03 said4xsandbetter saidPush ups are both simple and effective. Trying doing a variety of them -- regular, military, wide hands, narrow hands, declines, etc.
I agree push-ups are better for me than any bench. When I do them regularly I get better muscle endurance as well as size.
for me benching and dumbbells work better; i work from low and heavy, to lighter and higher reps
LittleDudeWithMuscles saidI use a device called "The Perfect Pushup," two cylinders that rotate as you do the pushup. You can get them on line.
They're great for pumping your chest.
FireDoor211 saidTempuro saidJard_03 said4xsandbetter saidPush ups are both simple and effective. Trying doing a variety of them -- regular, military, wide hands, narrow hands, declines, etc.
I agree push-ups are better for me than any bench. When I do them regularly I get better muscle endurance as well as size.
for me benching and dumbbells work better; i work from low and heavy, to lighter and higher reps
Oh yeah, I used to do that with my arms. I never really considered doing chest exercises that way. Great idea. SO what do you start with 85% your rep max then go down from there each set?