When it comes to working out, one of the most important parts that you might want to care about is your lower chest.
In this post, we will get to discuss awesome lower chest workout routines for you to build strong and powerful muscles, you can even do some of these exercises at home.
6 Best Lower Chest Workouts
1. Inclined Push-Up
This exercise is a modification of our regular push up and can be done at home. The inclined push up targets the lower chest region. The effort of this exercise is placed more on the muscles in the region of the lower chest.
- Place your hands on a high surface which could be a bench, table, a step or the edge of your bed
- Let the width between your palms be wider than the width between your shoulders
- Keep your elbows straight, your toes on the ground and your back straight
- Bend your elbows and lower your chest to the ground
- Return to the original position and repeat.
2. Cable Crossover
This can be done in a gym or at your house. This exercise stretches the chest muscles and also targets the lower chest.
- Place a pulley or resistance band high above your head on both sides
- Stand with your feet apart and your arms holding the pulley
- Place one foot in front of you
- Pull the resistance band by pulling your hands together
- Hold for 10 seconds and then release
3. Chest Dips
In this exercise, the chest muscles do most of the work while the muscles in the arm do less.
- Stand in a parallel bar
- Hold the bars for support
- Lean your body forward and bend your elbows as you bend your knees slightly with your feet off the ground
- Lift your body by straightening your elbows
- Return to the original position and repeat
4. Twisting Dumbell Bench Press
- Lie on a bench with dumbbells that you can carry
- The dumbbells should be in your hands at your chest level and close to your body
- Lift the dumbbells and straighten your hands up
- As you lift your hands, twist your hands so that your palms are facing each other
- Return to the original position and repeat
5. Decline Dumbell Bench Press
An incline raises the upper body up, but in a decline, the upper body is lower than the lower body.
In a gym, you can decline the bench to 45 degrees or you can elevate your legs at home so that they are higher than the upper body.
This exercise is similar to the twisting dumbbell bench press.
- After inclining the bench, lie on the bench with your dumbbells at chest level
- Lift the dumbbells away from your chest and up
- Return to the original position and repeat.
6. Seated Chest Press
A chest press machine is usually used for this exercise.
- Sit on a chest press after adjusting the weight you are willing to carry on the machine. You can study or familiarize yourself with the machine or ask a gym instructor to assist you. It is advised to start with a lighter weight if it is your first time.
- Most of these machines have an adjustable seat to suit your height.
- Your feet should be placed firmly on the ground slightly wider than your hip width
- Hold on to the bars on the machine and push the bars out without moving your head, neck or back from the backrest
- Pause after you push out the bars for a while and breathe in as you return to the original position
Benefits Of Working Out Your Lower Chest
The pectoralis major muscle has two origins. The part from the clavicle can be described as a part of the upper chest while the part that is from the breastbone can be said to be in the lower chest region.
Concentrating more on the upper chest will cause a muscle imbalance in the chest because there is no concurrent strengthening of the muscles in the lower region of the chest.
Precautions
- Listen to your body. Do not overdo the exercises or the reps. Once you start to feel uncomfortable or tired, stop.
- Do not compare yourself with others.
- Ensure you see a doctor or physiotherapist before starting a chest workout
- Always warm-up before exercising
- Always cool down and stretch after exercising
Summary
The lower chest does not have specific muscles to work on. However, the lower parts of the chest muscles need to be worked on to have a well-defined chest. Working more on the upper part of the chest will put a lot of strain on the upper part and may cause pain or muscular injuries.
Modified exercises can work on the different parts of the chest making you look as buff or as toned as you desire to be.
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