The Best Way to Build Pectoral Muscles

When it comes to building pectoral muscles, searching Google can leave you with millions of websites offering different advice and workout routines. But where do you start? Here are a few things to know about targeting your pectoral muscles and common exercises that anyone can do to build up your chest.

Building Pectoral Muscles

• Whether you are a man looking to get a well-defined chest or a woman looking to strengthen and lift her bust, everyone can benefit from stronger pectoral muscles.

  The pectoralis major is the largest chest muscle and should be the main focus of chest exercises. There is also the pectoralis minor, which is smaller and lies underneath the pectoralis major. But you shouldn't concentrate on the chest muscles alone. A lot of exercises use chest muscles along with arm and shoulder muscles for stabilization. This can be beneficial and help to eliminate one muscle group from overpowering another.

  One of the most common exercises for shoulder and chest strengthening is the bench press, which also targets your anterior deltoid (shoulder), biceps and triceps (arms). The primary muscle used when doing a bench press is the pectoralis major. The dumbbell fly is also an exercise where these same muscle groups are used. The only difference is that the upper fibers of the pectoralis major muscle are targeted. In addition, shoulder dips are a great exercise for strengthening the pectoralis major muscle as well as the deltoids. Some machines are set up for these exercises, but other variations can be used with an incline, decline or flat bench. Depending on what machines or equipment you have access to, you should adjust your position accordingly.

  Knowing certain exercises to do for building up the pectoral muscles isn't the only thing you should be concerned with. You also need to watch your posture when doing any exercise. Make sure that you are standing or sitting straight up, not leaning forward or backward. Many people find that looking in a mirror can help you stay balanced. Keep your chin in line with the floor and your toes pointed straight out in front of you. Also make sure to breathe consistently, not holding in your breath for too long or forget to breathe at all.

  Furthermore, diet and nutrition are essential if you are targeting any muscle group. You always need to limit your fat intake to keep your body from storing more fat. This can especially help men if they carry fat around their nipples and chest area. Although you can't spot target to reduce fat from certain areas alone, lowering your fat intake can help increase the need to burn fat stored all over your body.

  All these factors can boost your success in building up your chest.