Q: I’ve always had stubborn upper pecs. I think that’s how it is for most bodybuilders. I’ve seen that you don’t recommend incline presses, which puzzles me. I use that as the first exercise in my chest workout. Can you explain your thinking? [Read more…]
Upper-Chest Mass Effects
A couple of newsletters back, I mentioned that trainees who don’t need to emphasize chest mass could delete the dumbbells flyes from this full-POF chest routine: [Read more…]
Ultimate POF Chest-Building Workout, Part 2
We’ve been discussing the redefined Positions-of-Flexion method. It used to be midrange, stretch, and contracted—three unique exercises with specific parameters.
The new POF is… [Read more…]
Quick Tip for Chest Mass
From Old Man, Young Muscle you’ve seen why the dumbbell decline press or the cable chest press is best for maximum pec-fiber activation…
You get independent movement of both levers—your arms—which diffuses bilateral deficit. What the heck is that? [Read more…]
Best Chest Move for Mass (study)
I’ve mentioned that we featured an EMG study back in the ’90s in Iron Man magazine that compared incline presses to decline presses for best-chest activation. I’ve been digging for it… [Read more…]
Dips: Your Ideal Chest Move?
In the previous newsletter, we were discussing commercial-gym alternatives to the “standard” ideal exercises, which are dumbbell decline presses and cable chest presses… [Read more…]
Why Press to Mass Up Your Chest?
Q: You said that most of Doug Brignole’s ideal exercises are isolation, but that he considers the dumbbell decline press for chest his ideal. Why? Isn’t the more isolated decline flye just as good or better since triceps aren’t involved? [Read more…]
Incline Flyes for Upper-Chest Size? (study)
Q: In a recent newsletter, you showed a photo of incline flyes. I know you’re not a fan of incline presses, but do you still think incline flyes are valuable for some upper-pec mass?
A: I do, but at a low angle—around 30 degrees.
Trebs, et al. found moving higher to 45 degrees activates way too much front deltoid. [Read more…]
Best-Chest Building Tip from Hercules
A few newsletters back I praised the aesthetic physique of Steve Reeves, movie Hercules who won the 1947 Mr. America and the 1950 Mr. Universe… [Read more…]
Best Chest Press (new details)
In Old Man, Young Muscle and this newsletter I’ve explained why the dumbbell decline press is better than a barbell bench press for chest development…
To review, two of the biggest reasons are… [Read more…]