What Makes a Chest Workout Effective?

January 15, 2010 by admin  
Filed under Training

The chest is definitely one of the most attractive muscle groups of a male’s body. Someone with a strong chest is always seen as a virile and strong man that knows how to take care of himself. However, this particular muscle group also happens to be the most difficult ones to develop. Aside from a whole lot of discipline, you will also need an excellent chest workout routine.

For starters, it is necessary to understand that the chest muscles consist of the major and the minor pectoralis. Obviously, the bigger one is the pectoralis major which extends over the sternum and the clavicle and also connects the upper arm and the shoulder. The primary functions of the pectoralis major include inward, adduction, and flexion around the shoulder. On the other hand, the pectoralis minor is located right below the pectoralis major. While it is also involved in other similar functions as the major, this is the part used for a majority of contact sports such as rugby and football.

When it comes to the actual chest workout routine, the first thing to keep in mind is proper form. This means that, as with developing other body parts, you will need to begin with low weights. This should also serve as your gauge as to how much weight you can push, preferably around 15 times. Always start with adjusting and perfecting your form before increasing the weight you push.

For a 30- to 40-minute routine, try to do around twelve sets of fifteen reps each. In between each set, don’t take breaks that are longer than three minutes each. Following this particular routine should have you pumped in around 2 month’s time.

One of the most effective routines for the chest is the bench press. The proper way to do it is to start with your back flat on a bench which has been specifically designed for presses. The bar should be above you at eye level as you position your grip a bit over shoulder width. You should inhale first before lifting the bar and then exhale as you slowly bring it down towards your chest. It is necessary to note that your elbow should always remain in the same axis as you bring the bar up and down.
The reason why the bench press remains to be one of the most popular forms of chest workout exercises is simply because it is able to deliver results.