Ready for a chest workout that will leave your upper body shaking?
And women in particular may be guilty of skipping regular chest workouts.
But don’t be fooled training pectoralis muscles with targeted chest workouts is important for menand women.
Photo: Getty Images
Collectively, these muscles are known as the pecs, and they cover the entirety of your chest.
As such, they help you stand slouch-free, carry out daily tasks, and even breathe easily.
Below, learn why your pecs are worthy of your attention, according to fitness experts.
Peter Ardito
Try theseresistance band chest exercisesinstead.)
5 Benefits of Chest Workouts for Women
1.
You’ll improve your posture
Regarding posture, the back and shoulders get all the attention.
Peter Ardito
“If one gets weaker, then you will have offset tension across the joints.”
The biggest culprit of shortening?
When you slouch all day, your chest muscle fibers shorten while your back lengthens, says Seedman.
Peter Ardito
Any time you breathe in, the pec minor stretches to allow your rib cage to expand.
Kind of an important reason to do chest workouts with weights.
(Plus they might just help you finallyconquer that elusive pull-up!)
Peter Ardito
And don’t forget: Adding muscle beneath breast tissue doesn’t take away from the breast tissue itself.
You’ll train other muscles
Sure, pecs are big, important muscles, as explained above.
Example: One of the best ways to strengthen your triceps is a chest press, Seedman says.
Peter Ardito
If you’re in the former group, steal some of the best dumbbell chest exercises for women below.
(P.S.These 7 gym machines are worth your time.)
Engage legs and draw belly button up and in.
Peter Ardito
Press up through both hands to return to the starting position.
Do 8 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
Catch with straight arms and immediately lower back to chest to return to the starting position.
Raise hips so that body forms a straight line from knees to shoulders.
Hold the dumbbell at chest and draw shoulder blades down and together.
B.Press the weight straight up, then lower back down to chest to return to the starting position.
Return to the starting position at a slow and controlled pace.
Renegade Row
A.Place two dumbbells shoulder-width apart on floor.
Start in a table-top position, with shoulders stacked over hands, each gripping a dumbbell.
Knees are bent and stacked directly under hips.
B.Step one leg back at a time to come into high plank position on palms.
Feet should be slightly wider than hip-width apart.
Engage quads, glutes, and core, and tuck tailbone slightly.
see to it to keep hips stable and avoid swaying to the side.
D.Return to the start position, placing dumbbell down softly.
Repeat the row on the opposite arm.
Bend knees, shift hips back, and bring torso close to parallel with the ground.
B.Without moving torso, raise arms straight out to sides to shoulder height.
Pause, then slowly return to the starting position.
