Engaging in regular exercise is a part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, and cycling are a great way to stay in shape but targeting certain muscle groups should also be a part of your fitness routine. While you’ve surely thought about training your arms and legs, have you considered how you can strengthen other areas of your body like your chest?
Chest workouts not only benefit the chest but can also improve the strength of your back muscles. These muscles work together to keep you upright and encourage good posture. Additionally, strong pectoral muscles support overall upper-body strength. This is essential for daily activities like pushing strollers, shopping carts, and opening heavy doors. So if you’re ready to give your chest a workout, then give these 10 chest exercises a try!
Push-Ups
Push-ups are a simple yet very effective exercise that not only strengthens your chest but works your whole body. Don’t feel intimidated by a push-up either. There are several variations you can try from wall push-ups to knee push-ups and traditional push-ups. There is something for everyone at every fitness level.
When performing a traditional push-up, start in a plank position. Next, engage your core and glutes and ensure your hands are directly under your shoulders. Then, lower your chest and quads while keeping your elbows behind you, not flaring out wide. Once you reach the ground, push back up into a plank position and repeat for four sets of eight repetitions.