Chest Workout

Chest Workout
The very thought of it will bring a thrill to most gym rats (me included).  The pectorals are such a nice set of muscles.  They will make or break anyone's physique.  For FEAT clients, chest day is usually hard work.

Men and women need a good chest routine.

This muscle group dominates the upper half of your torso and is responsible for most of the upper body's pushing strength.

Here's a great Chest Day Routine:

Bench Press

Bench Press is a staple exercise for the pecs.  Make sure that you warm-up with a few sets using light weight and then gradually work your way higher.  Use a spotter if you're worried about dropping the bar.  Don't bounce the bar off your chest.  Visualize squeezing your elbows together at the top.  A little extra push at the top will hit your Serratus Anterior muscles which give those nice finger-like bulges on your ribcage.  Do a few lighter warm-up sets and then pyramid up higher before going back down.  Aim for about 8 sets in total.

Cable Crossover

This is a sweet chest exercise.  Grab the handles.  Brace yourself and draw the cables down to the front of your body.  Pause at the end of the range of motion for as little squeeze so that you feel this in the sternal insertion point of the pecs.  Go lighter and aim for 3 sets of 15 reps.

Incline Dumbbell Press

This exercise hits the upper pectoral muscle fibres.  At FEAT, we teach this to clients who want to fill out their upper chest area.  Set the bench at a moderate incline.  Hoist up a pair of dumbbells.  Start them just above shoulder-level.  Press straight up so that your elbows lock-out.  Get a couple of lighter warm-up sets of 15 reps before hitting the nasty dumbbells.  Working sets should be 3 sets of 10 reps.

Parallel Bar Dips

Set the parallel bars wide if they are adjustable.  Set yourself up with your chest leaning forward.  Lower yourself as far as you can go and then push back up until your elbows are fully locked.  Then push for another inch or two (your serratus anterior will thank you).  Do 3 sets of 10.

 

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Tom

 

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http://ca.linkedin.com/pub/tom-peppard/79/435/9a9/

 



Lateral X

What's This?

A couple of months ago this beauty showed-up at the Base Gym in Oromocto where I train.  I'm attracted to new fitness gear like a raccoon to a dumpster, so I jumped on to give it a spin. 

I loved it.  The first time that I used the Lateral X, my quads burned like mad within minutes.  By the second or third time I used this machine I had adjusted to it and was getting a really good cardio workout.  I wish that I had one at home because time flies when I'm on this.

Here's what makes the Lateral X cool:  the foot pedals move in a sideways elliptical motion.  Sort of like a skating stride.  And...you can adjust the width on a scale of 1-10. 


Pedals Wide

Not only does adjusting the pedal width keep one amused while doing what could otherwise be boring cardio but it hits different areas of the thighs/glutes.  I like to slowly cycle the machine through all widths.

Pedals Narrow

The degree of resistance is also variable and is adds nicely to the level of exertion.  I have some clients who hate this machine but most like it.  There are the usual semi-automated programs on the machine and I've played with a few of them but like having the full control that "manual" offers.

See if your gym has a Lateral X.  If not, let them know that you want one.  Maybe you'll get a set of Hammies like these:

Hate Me Now - Thank Me Later

Tom

www.facebook.com\FEATTraining