How to Work Out Pectoral Muscles With Dumbbells
Increasing your pectoral strength is good for overall muscle balance and general body appearance. Your pectorals--or "pecs"--are the muscles in your chest that help you lift, push and press things. Using dumbbells to work out your pectoral muscles is a good way to make sure you work out both sides of your body equally.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Lie flat on your back on the exercise bench. Your knees should be bent so that your feet are flat on the floor. Make sure your head is straight so you're looking straight up at the ceiling.
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2
Hold a dumbbell in each hand. The dumbbells should be heavy enough that you know you are lifting something, but not so heavy that you must strain or distort your body to lift them.
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3
Bring the dumbbells together above your head. Do not allow them to touch. Use a smooth, controlled motion.
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4
Lower the dumbbells. When they are even with your chest, stop lowering them.
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5
Repeat this exercise as many times as you wish. Most trainers recommend three sets of 10 to 20 repetitions.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can do this exercise on an incline or decline bench as well as on a level exercise bench.
Consult a physician before beginning a new weightlifting regimen.
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- Photo Credit Dumbbells image by victor zastol'skiy from Fotolia.com
Comments
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villaman19
Aug 26, 2009
alryt, is it ok to do this on the floor or do you need a work bench? -
Holcomb410
Jul 31, 2008
Actually, if you want endurance you do lots of reps few sets with average weight. For Build, you do 10-15 reps 3-5 times with heavier weight. For strength, you do 5-10 reps 3 times with really heavy.
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Holcomb410
Jul 31, 2008
Actually, if you want endurance you do lots of reps few sets with average weight. For Build, you do 10-15 reps 3-5 times with heavier weight. For strength, you do 5-10 reps 3 times with really heavy.
