Decline Dumbbell Flyes

Decline Dumbbell Flyes

Decline Dumbbell Flyes are the best way to build up the lower inner chest. And in building up those areas, you give the chest area the well rounded and complete look.

Equipment
Free standing decline bench, dumbbells (of a suitable weight)

Preparation

As described in the figure, lie on your back on the free standing decline bench with your feet under the leg brace. Take a dumbbell in each hand and extend your elbows in a slightly bent position with your palms facing each.

Decline Dumbbell Flyes

Execution
Step 1 – Lower the dumbbells to your sides as shown in the figure while keeping your elbows fixed in that bent position. A stretch in your pectoral (chest) muscles will indicate whether or not you are executing this move correctly or not.
Step 2 – Push the dumbbells in an upward motion to bring back to the starting position, and when you bring both dumbbells together, squeeze your chest muscles. Think of yourself as a tree-hugging nature lover while executing the upward motion.
Step 3 – Repeat Step 1 & Step 2 for as many repetitions as possible until you cannot do anymore or based on your trainer’s recommendations.

Notes
1. Remember to keep your elbows slightly bent throughout the exercise.
2. Lower the dumbbells (as with all exercises) in a slow and controlled manner.
3. Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath for any kind of weight training but always take a deep breath before executing each repetition of the exercise.
4. Another option is while you are preparing to execute the exercise, you can have the spotter (your trainer, maybe) hand you the dumbbells when you get into position. Especially if the weights used are heavy.

Exercise Ball Push ups

Exercise Ball Push Ups

Exercise Ball Push ups are just like the standard push ups except that they are done with your legs on an exercise ball. This exercise targets the lower chest and with some variation thrown in can even strengthen your core. Balancing your legs/feet on the ball can take some getting used to, but you will get the hang of it quickly enough.

Equipment
Exercise (Swiss) Ball

Preparation
Before you try this advanced form of pushups, you must be able to perform normal pushups easily. Place your feet on the exercise (Swiss) ball as described in the figure. Select a comfortable hand width that you would normally use to execute normal pushups.

Exercise Ball Push Ups

Execution
Step 1 – Keeping your legs on the exercise (Swiss) ball, perform push ups as you would when executing normal pushups with no elevation.
Step 2 – Perform this exercise for as many repetitions as possible until you cannot do anymore or based on your trainer’s recommendations.

Notes
1. Whatever you do, don’t hold your breath for any kind training but always take a deep breath before executing each repetition of the exercise.
2. Keep your back straight when you are executing this exercise.
3. You can vary the hand widths as you get more and more comfortable with this exercise where maintaining your balance will play a major role.

You can also add variation to the standard exercise ball push up by moving your legs around during the period between push ups. Here is a video that demonstrates what the push up looks like along with some variation thrown in:

Decline Barbell Bench Press

Decline Barbell Bench Press

The Decline Barbell Bench Press is very similar to the standard flat bench press. While it essentially works out the same muscle groups, it places most of the emphasis on your lower chest. This is usually done in conjunction with the flat bench press and inclined bench press to work out upper mid and lower areas of the chest.

Decline Barbell Bench Press

Equipment
Free weight decline bench or bench press machine, Barbell (with suitable weights)

Preparation
As described in the figure, lie on your back using the free weight decline bench press machine with feet under leg brace provided, and hold the barbell with a grip that is slightly more than shoulder width apart.

Execution
Step 1 – Keeping the same grip, take the barbell off the rack, and in a slow and controlled motion, lower it to your chest.
Step 2 – Press the bar back to the start position quickly.
Step 3 – Repeat Step 1 & Step 2 for as many repetitions as possible until you cannot do anymore or based on your trainer’s recommendations.

Notes
1. To prevent injury, always use a spotter (an assistant) for any weight training exercise, in the event it gets too much for you they can help you put the bar back in the stored position.
2. Remember, the downward motion should be slow while the taking the bar back to its original position needs to be executed more aggressively.
3. Whatever you do, do not hold your breath for any kind of weight training but always take a deep breath before executing each repetition of the exercise.
4. Remember to not use a grip that is too wide but only a bit more than shoulder width.

Here is a video of the decline barbell bench press:

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