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Related: About this forumAny weight-lifting enthusiasts here? I could use your help.
I'm trying to improve my chest presses in order to keep my pectorals in good shape. I was fortunate enough to inherit my father's physique, broad shoulders and a barrel chest. But I also inherited my male family members' tendency to run to fat pretty quickly if I don't exercise regularly.
Anyway, I do about seventy-five chest presses three or four times a week, using 35-lbs dumbbells. My upper pecs look very good., and have made me confident enough to start wearing tee-shirts again that, well, aren't tight, but fit well enough to show off my chest.
The thing is, my lower pecs aren't getting the workout they should, and are starting to look a little, well, dangly. (I'm fifty-six; gravity is going to cause some dangling; but I'm trying to stave off the inevitable.)
This is where I could use some expertise; What exercises could I do that will work out my lower pecs, and give them the definition of the uppers?
Response to Aristus (Original post)
Jim__ This message was self-deleted by its author.
Aristus
(68,692 posts)I already do the reps in the upper pics. I usually do twenty presses with the dumbbells parallel to the axis of my body, then twist them, so they are perpendicular to the long axis, and do five more.
But the exercise in the bottom pics look very helpful. I'll give those a try during my next workout.
Thanks again!
Jim__
(14,516 posts)Jim__
(14,516 posts)Raven123
(6,161 posts)In essence, you want to push downward a bit, kind of like you are using a manual pump to inflate a tire.
At least thats what I have read. Not really my focus so I dont have experience to share
Aristus
(68,692 posts)emulatorloo
(45,604 posts)I had a pro body builder switch me to nothing but decline bench in my 50s. Couldnt believe how I grew and how they built up both lower and upper pecs.
flvegan
(64,670 posts)and you've got a winner. Same as above, bench with your head on a decline, but do flyes rather than presses. Be sure to squeeze and hold at the peak. You can switch up the presses and flyes from the normal reps to negatives (eccentric reps), which emphasizes the lowering rather than the raising/pressing. Start with a lower weight than you use for presses if you're not used to this exercise.
True Dough
(21,014 posts)looks something like this:
Aristus
(68,692 posts)Not in honor of Chesty Puller, who was a Marine anyway. But because of what four solid years of daily pushups did for my chest. Plus, upper body strength is invaluable for a tanker.
Drum
(9,905 posts)Id only add that if you have access to any adjustable cable/pulley apparatus, those can be beneficial for targeting specific areas.
Good luck, stay strong!