Muscles worked: The entire chest muscle (pec-
toralis major) is emphasized. It also involves the
front shoulder muscles (anterior deltoid, a por-
tion of the middle deltoid) and the triceps, which
are located on the back of the upper arms.
Bench Position: 45 degree incline
Accessory Used: Hand Grips
Starting position:
• Sit on the bench nd reach straight behind
your body, grasp the hand grips with an
overhand grip and bend your elbows until
your hands are near your chest. Rotate upper
arms away from your torso so your elbows
point outward and your palms face forward.
• Make sure cables travel underneath your
arms, not over your arms.
• Keeping knees bent and feet flat on the floor,
lay your head back against the bench and
straighten your arms to the front.
• From this position, lower your arms 10-15
degrees (cables touching the bottom of your
arms/shoulders) below the regular bench
press position (cables lying along the back of
your arm and center of the shoulders).
• Be sure your arms are directly in-line with the
cables, palms facing forward and wrists straight.
If the cables are "below" the arms, the arms are
too low.
• Raise your chest and slightly "pinch" your
shoulder blades together. Maintain a very
slight, comfortable arch in your lower back.
Motion:
• Slowly move your elbows outward, simulta-
neously bending your arms so that your fore-
arms remain parallel to each other and the
hands remain over the elbows throughout
the movement. From the side view it should
appear as if the forearms are in line with the
cables at all times.
• Stop when your upper arms are approxi-
mately straight out to the sides (your elbows
will be level with your shoulders or slightly
below).
• Then, slowly press forward, moving the
hands toward the center, and return to the
starting position with arms straight to the
front at shoulder width and in line with the
cables. Keep your chest muscles tightened
during the entire motion.
Optional motions:
• Bilateral movement - both arms pressing for-
ward at the same time.
• Unilateral movement – performing all reps
with one arm before moving to the next.
• Alternating – performing one rep on one side
and then the next rep on the other side.
• Simultaneously alternating – both arms mov-
ing, although in opposite directions (one
pressing while the other is returning).
Key points:
• The upper arms will be 60-90 degrees from
the sides of your torso at the bottom of the
movement and slightly less than 90 degrees
from the front of your torso at the top.
• Limit the range of motion so your elbows travel
only slightly behind your shoulders — if at all.
Chest Exercises
17
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DECLINE BENCH PRESS - Shoulder Horizontal Adduction (with elbow extension)
Muscles worked: This exercise involves the
entire chest muscle, the front shoulder mus-
cles (anterior deltoid, a portion of the middle
deltoid) and the triceps, located on the back of
the upper arms. The goal however, is not any
specific muscle group. It is to be used with
very light resistance for an endurance activity.
Bench Position: Flat Bench
Accessory Used: Hand Grips
Starting position:
• With the bench locked in the upright posi-
tion against the lat tower, sit facing away
from the Power Rods®.
• Reach straight behind your body, grasp the
hand grips with an overhand grip so that the
cable will lay between your arm and your
torso.
• Bend your elbows until your hands are level
with your waistline and your palms are fac-
ing your torso.
• Maintain erect posture.
Motion:
• Using a moderate speed and light weight, rotate
your trunk and press one arm forward to full
extension, allowing the shoulder blade to move
forward at the end of the punch.
• Return that arm to the starting position —
under control — and repeat with the other arm.
• As an alternative to punching straight for-
ward you may also punch upward at an
angle in line with the cable.
Optional motions:
• Bilateral movement – both arms pressing for-
ward at the same time.
• Unilateral movement – performing all reps
with one arm before moving to the next.
• Alternating – performing one rep on one side
and then the next rep on the other side.
• Simultaneously alternating – both arms mov-
ing, although in opposite directions (one
pressing while the other is returning).
Key points:
• Maintain an upright, erect posture as your
trunk twists/rotates with the punch.
• It is important to note that "sport specific"
movements will not necessarily improve the
skill associated with a sport.
RESISTED PUNCH — Shoulder Flexion, Elbow Extension and Scapular Protraction
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