Are you looking for the best exercises for developing your pectoralis major muscles? If so, then this blog post is for you! Here we will explore the best exercises for strengthening your chest and making it more toned and defined. We will discuss the different types of pectoralis major exercises, as well as their benefits and how to do them correctly. Read on to learn more and get the most out of your workout routine!

Table of Contents

Benefits of Pectoralis Major Exercises

Exercising your pectoralis major muscles can have many positive benefits for your overall fitness. This muscle group is key for strength, posture and range of motion in your chest, shoulders and arms. Strengthening and toning your pectoralis major muscles will help you build a stronger, more balanced body. Here are the top 10 benefits of pectoralis major exercises:

Top 10 Benefits of Pectoralis Major Exercises.

  1. Increased Strength – Pectoralis major exercises help to develop strength and increase muscle mass in the chest.
  2. Improved Posture – Doing pectoralis major exercises can help to improve your posture, which can help to reduce back and neck pain.
  3. Increased Flexibility – Regularly performing pectoralis major exercises helps to improve flexibility in the chest, shoulders and arms.
  4. Improved Balance – As pectoralis major exercises involve pushing and pulling motions, they help to improve your balance and coordination.
  5. Reduced Risk of Injury – Strengthening the chest muscles helps to protect the shoulder joints from injury.
  6. Improved Core Strength – Working the pectoralis major helps to engage your core muscles, thus improving overall core strength.
  7. Improved Athletic Performance – The increased strength and flexibility gained from performing pectoralis major exercises can help to improve performance in sports such as baseball, basketball, tennis and swimming.
  8. Increased Confidence – Having a toned chest can boost self-confidence and self-esteem.
  9. Improved Blood Flow – Exercising the chest helps to improve blood flow throughout the body, which can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
  10. Improved Mobility – Doing pectoralis major exercises can help to improve the range of motion in the shoulder joints, allowing you to move more freely and easily.

Pectoralis Major Diagram & Description

What is the Pectoralis Major?

The Pectoralis Major is a large, fan-shaped muscle located in the chest. It plays an important role in a variety of upper body exercises, such as pushing and pulling movements. The Pectoralis Major is responsible for shoulder flexion, horizontal adduction, and internal rotation of the humerus. In other words, it helps you move your arm across your body, such as when performing a chest press or chest fly. Strengthening this muscle can lead to improved posture and help reduce the risk of shoulder injuries. To work your Pectoralis Major, try incorporating exercises like push-ups, chest presses, and chest flies into your workout routine.

Image of the skeletal muscular system with the muscles used for Pectoralis Major Exercises highlighted in red and the rest in blue.

Pectoralis Major Exercises

If you’re looking to develop a strong, muscular chest, then look no further! Pectoralis Major Exercises are a great way to do just that. Here, we’ve compiled a list of exercises that will help you target your pectoralis major muscle and achieve the results you desire.

Pectoralis Major Clavicular Exercises

The pectoralis major is a large chest muscle that is important for a wide range of physical activities. Strengthening the pectoralis major can improve your overall fitness and help reduce the risk of injury. Here are some exercises that target the pectoralis major’s clavicular head specifically.

Barbell Incline Bench Press

The Barbell Incline Bench Press is an effective exercise for targeting the upper chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major, anterior deltoids, and triceps muscles.

Barbell Incline Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press

The Barbell Incline Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press is an upper body exercise that works the chest, triceps, and shoulders. It also engages the core muscles for stabilization.

Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Press

The Barbell Reverse Grip Incline Bench Press is an effective exercise for targeting the upper chest muscles. It also engages the shoulders, triceps, and lats to help build strength and muscle mass.

Cable Incline Fly

The Cable Incline Fly is an effective exercise for isolating the chest muscles. It involves lying face-up on an incline bench and using two cables to move your arms in a fly motion. It works the chest, front shoulders, and triceps.

Incline Dumbbell Bench Press

The Incline Dumbbell Bench Press is an effective exercise for targeting the upper chest muscles. This exercise engages the pectoralis major and anterior deltoid muscles.

Incline Dumbbell Hammer Press

The Incline Dumbbell Hammer Press is a great exercise for targeting the shoulders and upper back muscles. It is a compound exercise that works the deltoids, triceps and traps.

Incline Dumbbell Palm In Press

The Incline Dumbbell Palm In Press is an upper body exercise that targets the chest, shoulders and triceps muscles. It is performed by lying back on an incline bench and pressing two dumbbells overhead.

Resistance Band Incline Press

The Resistance Band Incline Press is an upper body exercise targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps muscles. It is a great way to build strength and endurance in the upper body.

Smith Machine Incline Bench Press

The Smith Machine Incline Bench Press is a great exercise for targeting the chest muscles, as well as the front shoulders and triceps. It requires an adjustable bench to be placed in an incline position, and the barbell is attached to the Smith machine.

Smith Machine Incline Reverse Grip Press

The Smith Machine Incline Reverse Grip Press is an effective exercise to target the chest and triceps muscles. It can be done on an incline bench and uses a reverse grip to increase the intensity of the workout.

Stability Ball Dumbbell Chest Press

The Stability Ball Dumbbell Chest Press is an effective exercise for strengthening the chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major and minor muscles to increase overall chest strength and stability.

Stability Ball Incline Dumbbell Press

The Stability Ball Incline Dumbbell Press is a great exercise for strengthening your upper body muscles, particularly your chest, shoulders, and triceps.

Pectoralis Major Clavicular Exercise Article With Graphics and Description

Pectoralis Major Sternal Exercises

Bodyweight exercises are a great way to work your pectoralis major muscle group without needing access to equipment. These exercises can be done at home or in the gym, and many of them don’t require any props or tools. Here are some of the best bodyweight pectoralis major sternal exercises you can do to strengthen your chest muscles.

Assisted Wide Grip Chest Dip

Assisted Wide Grip Chest Dip is an effective exercise that targets the chest muscles and works the triceps. It is performed by holding onto parallel dip bars while keeping the elbows wide and dipping the body down until the chest is almost touching the bars.

Barbell Bench Press

The Barbell Bench Press is a compound exercise that works the chest, shoulders and triceps. It is a great upper body strengthening exercise for any fitness routine.

Barbell Decline Pullover

The Barbell Decline Pullover is an effective exercise for strengthening the chest, back, and shoulder muscles. It requires a barbell and a decline bench to perform and works the upper body from a variety of angles.

Barbell Decline Wide Grip Press

The Barbell Decline Wide Grip Press is an effective exercise for targeting the chest muscles. It involves lying on a bench with a barbell above the chest and pressing up with the arms held wide apart. This exercise engages the chest, shoulders, and triceps muscles.

Barbell Decline Wide Grip pullover

The Barbell Decline Wide Grip Pullover is an effective exercise for targeting the chest, lats and triceps muscles. It requires you to hold a barbell with a wide grip, then lower it behind the head in a controlled manner and press it back up.

Barbell Guillotine Bench Press

The Barbell Guillotine Bench Press is an upper body exercise that engages the chest, shoulders and triceps muscles. This exercise requires a barbell and bench, and is an effective way to strengthen and build these muscle groups.

Barbell Reverse Grip Decline Bench Press

The Barbell Reverse Grip Decline Bench Press is an exercise used to target the chest, shoulders, and triceps muscles. It involves lying on a decline bench and gripping a barbell with palms facing the body before pushing it up and down.

Barbell Wide Bench Press

The Barbell Wide Bench Press is an effective exercise for engaging the chest muscles. It involves lying on a flat bench and pressing a barbell above the chest, with a wide grip.

Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press

The Barbell Wide Reverse Grip Bench Press is an exercise that engages the chest, shoulder and tricep muscles. It is an effective way to build strength and size in the upper body.

Cable Chest Press

The Cable Chest Press is an effective exercise for strengthening the chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major, anterior deltoids and triceps for a comprehensive upper body workout.

Cable Crossover Flys

Cable Crossover Flys are a great exercise for targeting the chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major and minor, as well as the anterior deltoids for a full upper body workout.

Cable Decline Fly

The Cable Decline Fly is an effective exercise for targeting the chest muscles. It involves lying on a decline bench and using a cable pulley to perform a fly movement.

Cable Flys

Cable Flys are a great exercise to target the chest muscles. They involve bringing two cable attachments together in front of the body while standing, while keeping the arms slightly bent at the elbows. This exercise engages the chest muscles as well as the shoulders and triceps.

Cable Low Fly

Cable Low Fly is an exercise targeting the chest muscles. It involves using a cable machine to pull your arms out to the side in a controlled motion. It engages the lower pectoral muscles, shoulders, and triceps.

Chest Dip

The Chest Dip is a great exercise for strengthening and toning the chest muscles. It engages the pectorals, triceps, and anterior deltoids to help build upper body strength.

Close Grip Push Up

The close grip push up is an upper body exercise that engages the chest, triceps, and shoulders. It is performed by placing the hands closer together than a regular push up and lowering the chest to the ground before pushing back up.

Close Grip Push Up On Knees

The Close Grip Push Up On Knees is a great bodyweight exercise for engaging the chest, triceps, and shoulders. This modified version of the traditional push up is suitable for all fitness levels.

Decline Dumbbell Bench Press

The Decline Dumbbell Bench Press is a great exercise for targeting the lower chest and shoulder muscles. It involves lying on a decline bench and pressing a pair of dumbbells up and down in an alternating fashion.

Decline Dumbbell Fly

The Decline Dumbbell Fly is an exercise that targets the chest muscles, engaging them as you press the weight up and back out again while lying on a decline bench.

Decline Dumbbell Hammer Press

The Decline Dumbbell Hammer Press is an upper body strength exercise that engages the chest, triceps, and shoulder muscles. It involves pressing two dumbbells upwards while lying on an inclined bench.

Decline Dumbbell Twist Fly

Decline Dumbbell Twist Fly is a great core-strengthening exercise that also targets the chest and shoulder muscles. It involves lying on a decline bench while holding a pair of dumbbells and twisting them outward as you press up in a fly motion.

Decline Push Up

Decline Push Ups are a great exercise for targeting the upper body, specifically engaging the chest, shoulders, and triceps. They involve pushing your body up and down while your feet are elevated on a bench or other raised surface.

Diamond Push Up

The Diamond Push Up is a great exercise for building upper body strength, particularly for the chest and triceps. It is an advanced variation of the standard push up that requires the exerciser to form a diamond shape with their hands during the exercise.

Dumbbell Bench Press

The Dumbbell Bench Press is an effective upper body exercise that engages the chest, triceps, and shoulders. It can be performed with a pair of dumbbells to increase strength and build muscle.

Dumbbell Fly

The Dumbbell Fly is a great exercise for targeting the chest muscles, as it works the front deltoids and pectoralis major. It is an effective way to build strength and improve posture.

Dumbbell Reverse Grip Bench Press

The Dumbbell Reverse Grip Bench Press is an excellent chest exercise that targets the upper chest, shoulders and triceps. It is performed by lying on a bench and holding a pair of dumbbells with palms facing each other.

Feet Elevated Push Up

The Feet Elevated Push Up is a challenging exercise that works the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It involves performing a push up while keeping the feet elevated on a stable surface.

Incline Dumbbell Fly

The Incline Dumbbell Fly is an excellent exercise to target the chest muscles, specifically the upper chest region. It is performed while lying on an incline bench with a dumbbell in each hand.

Incline Dumbbell Twisted Flyes

Incline Dumbbell Twisted Flyes are a great exercise for toning and strengthening the chest, shoulders, and upper back muscles. This exercise can be performed on an incline bench using dumbbells for added resistance.

Incline Push Up

The Incline Push Up is a great exercise for strengthening the chest, shoulders and triceps. It engages the upper body muscles to push your body up against an incline surface.

Lever Chest Press (Machine)

The Lever Chest Press (Machine) is a great exercise for targeting the chest muscles. It engages the pectoral muscles to press the lever away from the body, building strength and mass in the chest region.

Lever Decline Chest Press (Machine)

The Lever Decline Chest Press (Machine) exercise is an excellent way to target the chest muscles. It engages the chest, shoulders and triceps for a comprehensive workout.

Lever Incline Chest Press (Machine)

The Lever Incline Chest Press (Machine) is an effective exercise for engaging the chest muscles, as well as the shoulders and triceps. It is done on an inclined bench with a lever weight machine.

Lever Pec Deck Fly (Machine)

The Lever Pec Deck Fly (Machine) is an isolation exercise targeting the chest muscles. It works to strengthen and tone the pectoral muscles, as well as the anterior deltoids.

Lever Seated Fly (Machine)

Lever Seated Fly (Machine) is a great exercise for toning the chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major, anterior deltoid, and the triceps.

Low Cable Fly

The Low Cable Fly exercise is an effective way to target and tone the chest muscles. It involves using a low cable pulley to bring the arms together in a fly motion, engaging the pectoral muscles.

Lunge Push Up

The lunge push up is an excellent full body exercise that engages the chest, core, and legs. It is a great way to increase strength and muscular endurance in these muscle regions.

Lying Cable Fly

The Lying Cable Fly is a chest exercise that engages the pectoral muscles. It works to build strength and increase muscle definition.

Lying Cable Flys

Lying Cable Flys are an effective exercise for targeting the chest muscles. This exercise engages the chest, shoulder, and triceps muscles to help strengthen and tone the upper body.

Narrow Push Up

The Narrow Push Up is an exercise that engages the chest, triceps and core muscles. It is performed by positioning the hands close together and lowering the body towards the ground before pushing back up.

Pec Deck (Machine)

Pec Deck (Machine) is an exercise targeting the chest muscles. It uses a machine to bring the elbows together in front of the body, isolating the chest muscles for a great workout.

Push Up

The Push Up is a full body exercise that engages your chest, shoulders, and triceps. It is an effective way to build strength and stability.

Push Up From Knees

The Push Up From Knees is an effective bodyweight exercise that engages the chest, triceps, and core muscles. It is a modified version of the standard Push Up that is a great choice for those just starting out with strength training.

Push Up On Grips

Push Up On Grips is a great full-body exercise that engages your chest, core, and shoulder muscles. It helps build strength and stability while increasing muscular endurance.

Push Ups

Push-ups are a classic bodyweight exercise that works the chest, triceps, and core muscles. They are a great way to strengthen and tone the upper body.

Push-Ups With Bands

Push-Ups With Bands is an effective exercise to build upper body strength and engage the chest, shoulder and tricep muscles.

Resistance Band Chest Press

The Resistance Band Chest Press is an effective upper body exercise that engages the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It is performed by pushing the arms outwards against a resistance band to target and strengthen these muscle groups.

Resistance Band Flys

Resistance Band Flys are an effective exercise for targeting the chest muscles. This exercise involves standing on a resistance band and using your arms to move the band outward in a fly motion, engaging the chest muscles.

Resistance Band High Chest Flys

Resistance Band High Chest Flys engage the upper chest muscles, as well as the anterior deltoid, to strengthen and tone the upper body.

Resistance Band Low Chest Flys

Resistance Band Low Chest Flys target the chest muscles, engaging them in a dynamic way for improved strength and definition. This exercise also works the shoulder and upper back muscles.

Resistance Band Push Ups

Resistance Band Push Ups are a great way to target your chest, shoulders and triceps muscles. The bands add an extra challenge to the traditional push up, helping to build strength and endurance.

Smith Machine Bench Press

The Smith Machine Bench Press is a great exercise for targeting the chest muscles. It engages the upper and lower chest, shoulders, triceps and core for a total body workout.

Smith Machine Decline Bench Press

The Smith Machine Decline Bench Press is a strength-training exercise that targets the lower chest, front deltoids and triceps. It involves using a Smith Machine to press a weighted barbell down towards the chest while lying on a decline bench.

Smith Machine Decline Reverse Close Grip Bench Press

The Smith Machine Decline Reverse Close Grip Bench Press is an effective exercise for targeting the chest muscles, particularly the lower pectoral region. This exercise also engages the triceps and shoulders for a full body workout.

Smith Machine Decline Reverse Grip Press

The Smith Machine Decline Reverse Grip Press is a great exercise to strengthen the upper back and rear deltoids. It involves gripping the bar in a reverse grip and performing a pressing motion while seated in a decline position.

Smith Machine Reverse Grip Press

The Smith Machine Reverse Grip Press is an exercise that targets the chest muscles and is performed by gripping the barbell with an overhand grip and pressing it up and away from the body. This exercise is done on the Smith Machine for added stability.

Smith Machine Wide Grip Bench Press

The Smith Machine Wide Grip Bench Press is an effective upper body exercise targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps muscles. It involves lowering the bar to chest level and pushing it back up in a controlled manner.

Smith Machine Wide Grip Decline Bench Press

The Smith Machine Wide Grip Decline Bench Press is an effective exercise for targeting the lower chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major, anterior deltoids, triceps, and core muscles.

Stability Ball Cable Flys

Stability Ball Cable Flys target the chest and shoulder muscles by having you lie on a stability ball and pull weight with cables towards each other.

Stability Ball Dumbbell Fly

The Stability Ball Dumbbell Fly is an exercise targeting the chest muscles. The exercise involves lying on a stability ball while using a pair of dumbbells to create a fly-like motion with the arms.

Stability Ball Incline Dumbbell Fly

The Stability Ball Incline Dumbbell Fly is an effective exercise for targeting the chest and shoulder muscles. It helps to build strength and stability in these muscle groups while also improving balance.

Standing Cable Chest Press

The Standing Cable Chest Press is an effective exercise for strengthening the chest muscles. It engages the pectoralis major and minor muscles, as well as the triceps and shoulders.

Superman Push Up

The Superman Push Up is an upper body exercise that engages the chest, shoulders and triceps. It also activates core muscles for stabilization.

Wide Grip Chest Dip

The Wide Grip Chest Dip is an effective exercise for targeting the chest muscles. This exercise engages the chest, triceps, and shoulder muscles as the arms are lowered and raised in a dipping motion.

Wide Push Up

The Wide Push Up is an exercise that works the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It is performed by placing your hands further apart than a standard push up and then lowering your body until your chest is close to the floor.

Pectoralis Major Clavicular Exercise Article With Graphics and Description

Pectoralis Major Sternal Exercises

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