4 Basic Exercises for Chest You Should Be Using

 

4 Basic Exercises for Chest

    One thing that I notice throughout the years that I have been in the fitness industry (14 years), many women disregard the importance of training their upper body. A lot of them fear that they are going to grow MASSIVE like men, but this is impossible naturally. Women are not designed like men. Women have estrogen and Men have testosterone as the main hormonal makeup. The only way for women to grow like men is if they use male testosterone (Steroids and SARMS). Otherwise, the female body has too much estrogean and too little testosterone to grow to the size of men. 

    In addition, women need upper body strength for all types of things to be self sufficient at home, work or the gym. It just depends on what your fitness goals are. I wanted to be a Pro Figure and Pro Female Physique competitor. That is why I developed my upper body to this level of muscularity. This type of development also takes many, many years of commitment and heavy lifting. So if your goals are not to be a competitor or look like one, then you have no worries about getting TOO MUSCULAR. You can still work out your chest with the goal of being toned and slim. 

    Here are some basic exercises that will help you build your chest, your strength and get you nice and toned. 

Push-Ups

Swiss Ball Chest Flys

Barbell Incline Chest Press

Decline Dumbbell Chest Press

Resistance Band Workout for the Upper Body

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Arnold's Classic Twisting Back Double Bicep Pose

Resistance Band Lat Pulldown

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Resistance Band Incline Chest Press

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Resistance Band Bicep Curls

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Resistance Band Tricep Overhead Press

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Resistance Band Shoulder Press

3 - 4 Sets

Maximum Reps

Swiss Ball Total Body Workout 🏋🏽‍♀️

 Swiss Ball Total Body Workout 

Swiss Ball Dumbbell Chest Press

4 Sets

10 - 12 Reps, Heavy Weight

Swiss Ball Weighted Crunch 

4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps, Moderate Weight 

Swiss Ball Dumbbell Squats

4 sets

15 - 20 Reps

Swiss Ball Dumbbell Wide Row

4 Sets

10 - 12 Reps, Moderate Weight

Swiss Ball Bulgarian Split Squats

4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps, Each Leg

Swiss Ball Russian Twist 

15 Reps, Each Side with Moderate Weight

Swiss Ball Dumbbell Chest Flys

4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps

Swiss Ball Back Extensions

4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps, Last rep hold torso up with a 10 - 15 sec hold

Swiss Ball Single Leg Curl

4 Sets

12 - 15 Reps, Each Leg

Beginners can use both legs at the same time

Swiss Ball Reverse Plank

4 Sets

45 sec - 1 min hold

Muscle building Chest and Back Workout

Chest

3 - 4 Sets

Chest press machine

8 - 10 reps (heavy weight)

Incline dumbbell chest press

10 - 12 reps (medium weight)

Fly machine

12 - 15 reps (light - medium weight)

Dips

8 - 12 reps (body weight)

Back

3 - 4 sets

Lat Pulldown
10 - 12 reps

Reverse-grip lat pull up

10 - 12 reps

Bent-over dumbbell row

8 - 10 reps (heavy weight)

Back Extension (Floor)
3 - 4 sets
30 seconds - 1 min.

Unstable/Stable Chest and Back Superset Workout

Chest and Back Supersets:

3 - 4 Sets

Body Weight Exercises: 15 - 20 reps

Weighted Exercises: 10 - 12 reps

Push-ups

Lat Pulldown

Incline push-ups

Bent-over barbell row (over-hand grip)

Decline push-ups

Straight-arm pulldown

Diamond push-up

Back extension (floor)

Chest and Back Workout: Body Weight and Cable Pulley Exercises

Chest and Back Workout: Body Weight and Cable Pulley Exercises

Body Weight and Cable Pulley Exercises

3 to 4 Sets
All Push ups: Max Reps

Back exercises
To build: 8 - 10 Reps
Lean out: 12 - 15 reps
Back Extension: 30 sec. - 1 min.

1. Close grip Push-ups (Tricep Push-ups)

Targets: Chest, Triceps, and Core

Inclined Push-ups

Targets: Lower Chest, Arms, and Core

Declined Push-ups

Targets: Upper Chest, Shoulders, Arms, and Core

Cable Flys (Lower)

Targets: Lower and Middle Chest and Arms

Lat Pulldown: Wide Grip

Targets: Upper Lats, Teres Major, Traps and Biceps

Reverse Grip Pull Ups

Targets: Lats, Teres Major, Traps and Biceps

Seated Cable Row

Targets: Mid Lats and Biceps

Back Extensions

Targets: Mid and Lower Back with Glutes

Upper Body Stable and Unstable Workout

Upper Body Workout

Barbell Chest Press: 4 Sets

Hypertrophy: 8 - 10 reps

Strength Endurance: 12 - 15 reps

Behind the Head Pulldown: 4 Sets

Hypertrophy: 8 - 10 reps

Strength Endurance: 12 - 15 reps

Swiss Ball One Arm DB Curl

Hypertrophy: 8 - 10 reps

Strength Endurance: 12 - 15 reps

Tricep Push-ups

Maximum Reps

Military Press

Hypertrophy: 8 - 10 reps

Strength Endurance: 12 - 15 reps

Swiss Ball Barbell Chest Press

A different variation from the standard barbell chest press. This exercise incorporates more core stabilization. Make sure to tighten up your core before you lift the bar off the hooks. The Swiss ball makes it harder to execute, so slowly bring the Bar towards your chest and when you push it back up.