9 Great Exercises to Build Chest Muscle and Strength at Home

Add these highly effective home chest exercises into your training.

What are the Benefits of a Strong Chest?

Having a strong chest offers several benefits, both in terms of aesthetics and functional fitness. Here are some key advantages:

Improved upper body strength: A strong chest contributes to overall upper body strength. It allows you to perform various pushing movements with greater ease, such as push-ups, bench presses, and chest flies. This strength can translate into improved performance in other exercises and activities that involve the upper body.

Enhanced posture: Strengthening the chest muscles, particularly the pectoralis major and minor, can help improve posture by pulling the shoulders back and countering the effects of rounded shoulders. This can alleviate common issues caused by poor posture, such as neck and shoulder pain.

Increased functional fitness: A strong chest is beneficial for performing daily tasks that involve pushing or lifting objects. Whether you’re carrying groceries, pushing a heavy door, or lifting a child, having a strong chest muscles can make these tasks easier and more efficient.

Source: Domagoj Bregant on Pexels

Improved athletic performance: Many sports and physical activities require upper body strength and power. A strong chest can enhance performance in activities like swimming, boxing, tennis, and basketball, where upper body strength and explosive movements are crucial.

Aesthetics: Well-developed chest muscles contribute to an appealing and balanced physique, particularly for men. A strong chest can give the appearance of a broader upper body, creating a more defined and muscular look.

Injury prevention: Strengthening the chest muscles, along with other surrounding muscles, can help stabilize the shoulder joint and reduce the risk of injuries, such as shoulder dislocations or rotator cuff strains. A balanced and strong chest can also alleviate muscle imbalances that can lead to overuse injuries.

Increased metabolism: Building and maintaining muscle mass, including the chest muscles, can contribute to an increased metabolism. Muscles require more energy (calories) to function than fat, so having a strong chest can aid in weight management and fat loss.

It’s important to note that achieving a strong chest should be part of a well-rounded fitness routine that includes exercises targeting other muscle groups and a balanced diet. Additionally, it’s always advisable to consult with a qualified fitness professional before starting any new exercise program to ensure proper form, technique, and safety.

What are the Muscles of the Chest?

The chest, or pectoral region, consists of several muscles that contribute to the overall appearance and function of the chest area. The main muscles of the chest include:

• Pectoralis Major: This is the largest muscle of the chest and forms the bulk of the chest wall. It has two heads, the clavicular head (upper chest) and the sternal head (lower chest). The pectoralis major is responsible for various movements, such as flexion, adduction, and medial rotation of the shoulder joint. It is commonly targeted with exercises like bench presses, push-ups, and chest flies.
• Pectoralis Minor: Situated beneath the pectoralis major, the pectoralis minor is a smaller muscle that lies closer to the ribs. It assists in stabilizing the scapula (shoulder blade) and is involved in movements like depression and protraction of the scapula. While it is not as visible as the pectoralis major, it plays a role in overall chest function.
• Serratus Anterior: Although not a primary chest muscle, the serratus anterior is located on the lateral side of the chest, between the ribs and scapula. It contributes to the overall aesthetics of the chest and plays a vital role in stabilizing and protracting the scapula during movements like pushing and punching.

There are other muscles that are indirectly associated with the chest region and contribute to its function, including:

• Subclavius: This small muscle runs beneath the clavicle (collarbone) and helps stabilize it. It is located in the lower part of the chest near the shoulder.
• Sternocleidomastoid: Although primarily a neck muscle, the sternocleidomastoid runs diagonally across the front of the neck and has attachments to the sternum and clavicle. It can contribute to the appearance of the upper chest when well-developed.

It’s important to note that when performing exercises to strengthen the chest, it is common for multiple muscles to be involved simultaneously. Compound exercises like bench presses, push-ups, and dips target several chest muscles along with other supporting muscles of the upper body.

Video – 9 Great Exercises to Build Chest Muscle and Strength at Home

Check out Max Posternak’s choice of home gym chest exercises.

Decline Push Up

The decline push-up is a variation of the traditional push-up exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core muscles.

Unlike a regular push-up where the body is parallel to the ground, the decline push-up involves elevating the feet on an elevated surface while keeping the hands on the ground. This creates a decline angle, placing more emphasis on the upper chest muscles.

Here’s how to perform a decline push-up:

• Find a stable elevated surface: You can use a bench, step, box, or any elevated surface that can support your weight and provide a challenging decline angle.
• Position yourself: Assume a push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the ground, fingers pointing forward or slightly outward. Place your feet on the elevated surface behind you. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels.
• Engage your core: Tighten your abdominal muscles and glutes to maintain a strong and stable body position throughout the exercise.
• Lower your body: Lower yourself by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, and maintaining a controlled movement. Aim to lower your chest towards the ground, maintaining a straight body alignment.
• Push back up: Push through your palms and extend your elbows to return to the starting position, maintaining a controlled movement.
• Repeat: Perform the desired number of repetitions, focusing on maintaining proper form and controlled movement throughout.

It’s essential to choose an elevated surface that matches your fitness level and allows you to perform the exercise with proper form. As with any exercise, start with a weight or height that challenges you but still allows you to perform the movement correctly. As you gain strength, you can progress to higher elevations or increase the difficulty by adding resistance bands or weighted vests.

Remember to warm up before attempting any exercise and consult with a qualified fitness professional if you have any concerns or specific considerations regarding your fitness level or health.

Chest Dips

Chest dips are an effective exercise for targeting the chest, shoulders, and triceps muscles. Here are several reasons why chest dips are considered effective:

Chest muscle activation: Chest dips primarily target the pectoralis major muscles, which are the main muscles of the chest. When performed correctly, dips provide a deep stretch and contraction of the chest muscles, promoting muscle growth and strength development in the chest area.

Compound movement: Chest dips are a compound exercise, meaning they involve multiple joints and muscle groups working together. In addition to the chest muscles, dips engage the triceps, deltoids (shoulder muscles), and even the muscles of the core and upper back. This makes dips a time-efficient exercise for training several muscle groups simultaneously.

Source: Photo Courtesy of CrossFit Inc

Range of motion: Dips allow for a greater range of motion compared to many other chest exercises. As you lower your body between the bars, your shoulders move through a deep stretch, providing an effective stretch and activation of the chest muscles. This full range of motion can contribute to greater muscle development and flexibility.

Progressive overload: Chest dips offer the ability to progressively overload the muscles. You can increase the difficulty by adding weight through a weight belt, weighted vest, or holding a dumbbell between your legs. This progressive overload stimulates muscle growth and strength gains over time.

Functional strength: Chest dips mimic movements that involve pushing or pressing actions in daily life. This functional aspect can enhance your overall upper body strength and make everyday tasks easier, such as pushing heavy objects or performing activities that require upper body pushing strength.

Core engagement: Chest dips require core stability to maintain proper form throughout the exercise. The muscles of the core, including the abs and lower back, engage to stabilize the body and assist in the movement. This helps develop core strength and stability.

Adaptability: Chest dips can be performed using various equipment, such as parallel bars, dip stations, or even the edge of a sturdy surface like a bench. This adaptability makes them accessible for a wide range of individuals, whether at a gym or home workout setup.

As with any exercise, proper form and technique are crucial to maximize the effectiveness of chest dips and reduce the risk of injury.

It’s advisable to start with bodyweight dips and gradually progress to adding weight or increasing the difficulty as your strength improves. If you’re new to dips or have any concerns, consult with a qualified fitness professional for guidance and assistance.

Plate Push Up

The Plate Push Up exercise, also known as the Weighted Push Up or Plate-Loaded Push Up, is a variation of the traditional push-up exercise that involves placing a weight plate on the upper back or shoulders to increase resistance and difficulty. It adds an extra challenge to the push-up, targeting the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core muscles.

Here’s how to perform the Plate Push Up exercise:

Choose an appropriate weight plate: Select a weight plate that is suitable for your strength level and fitness goals. Start with a lighter weight plate and gradually increase the load as you become more comfortable with the exercise.

1. Set up the weight plate: Position the weight plate on the upper back or shoulders. You can hold it in place with your hands, or if the plate has handles or grip holes, you can use them to secure it.
2. Assume a push-up position: Place your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the ground, fingers pointing forward or slightly outward. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels.
3. Engage your core: Tighten your abdominal muscles and glutes to maintain a strong and stable body position throughout the exercise.
4. Lower your body: Lower yourself by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, and maintaining a controlled movement. Aim to lower your chest towards the ground, while the weight plate stays in place on your upper back or shoulders.
5. Push back up: Push through your palms and extend your elbows to return to the starting position, maintaining a controlled movement.
6. Repeat: Perform the desired number of repetitions, focusing on maintaining proper form and controlled movement throughout.

When performing the Plate Push Up exercise, it’s important to ensure that the weight plate is secure and doesn’t shift or slide during the movement. Additionally, be mindful of your overall form and avoid overarching or sagging of the lower back. Start with a weight that challenges you but still allows you to maintain proper form and technique. As you become stronger, you can increase the weight or reps to continue progressing.

As always, it’s recommended to warm up before attempting any exercise and consult with a qualified fitness professional if you have any concerns or specific considerations regarding your fitness level or health.

Diamond Push Up

The diamond push-up, also known as the triangle push-up or close-grip push-up, primarily targets the chest muscles (pectoralis major and minor), triceps brachii, and deltoids (shoulder muscles). Here’s a breakdown of the muscles involved in the diamond push-up:

Pectoralis Major: The diamond push-up places significant emphasis on the pectoralis major, the main chest muscle. The close hand position with the thumbs and index fingers forming a diamond shape targets the inner portion of the chest, particularly the sternal head of the pectoralis major.

Triceps Brachii: The triceps brachii, located on the back of the upper arm, is heavily engaged in diamond push-ups. As you lower your body down, the triceps work to extend the elbow joint and lift the body back up to the starting position.

Anterior Deltoids: The anterior deltoids, which are the front portion of the shoulder muscles, are involved in stabilizing and assisting with the pushing motion during diamond push-ups. They assist the chest and triceps in the movement.

Core Muscles: While not the primary focus, diamond push-ups also engage the core muscles, including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. The core muscles work to stabilize the body and maintain proper alignment throughout the exercise.

Other supporting muscles that are also engaged to a lesser extent during diamond push-ups include the serratus anterior (located along the sides of the chest), the rhomboids and trapezius (upper back muscles), and the erector spinae (lower back muscles).

It’s worth noting that the exact muscle activation and emphasis may vary depending on individual biomechanics, strength levels, and technique.

Additionally, the diamond push-up can be modified to target specific muscles further by adjusting hand placement, body angle, or using additional resistance. As with any exercise, maintaining proper form, gradual progression, and listening to your body are key to achieving optimal results and minimizing the risk of injury.

Plyometric Push Up

A plyometric push-up, also known as an explosive push-up or clap push-up, is an advanced variation of the traditional push-up exercise. It incorporates explosive movements and utilizes plyometric principles to increase power, strength, and upper body explosiveness. Here’s how to perform a plyometric push-up:

Assume a push-up position: Start in a standard push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the ground, fingers pointing forward or slightly outward. Your body should form a straight line from your head to your heels.

Lower your body: Begin by lowering your body towards the ground, bending your elbows and maintaining a controlled movement. Lower your chest as close to the ground as possible.

Explosive push-off: Instead of simply pushing back up, aim to explode off the ground with enough force to lift both your hands off the ground. Push through your palms forcefully and extend your elbows rapidly to generate upward momentum.

Clap or tap your hands: While your body is airborne, quickly clap your hands together in front of your chest or tap your chest with your hands. This action adds an extra challenge to the exercise and requires coordination and timing.

Land softly: As you descend back towards the ground, focus on landing softly with your hands in the starting position. Aim to maintain control and absorb the impact through your muscles rather than your joints.

Repeat: After landing, immediately descend into the next repetition, maintaining a fluid and rhythmic motion.

Plyometric push-ups help develop explosive upper body power, strength, and fast-twitch muscle fibers. They primarily target the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core muscles. The explosive nature of the exercise also engages muscles of the lower body to aid in generating upward force.

It’s important to note that plyometric push-ups are an advanced exercise and require a certain level of upper body strength and stability.

If you’re new to plyometric exercises or have any concerns, it’s advisable to gradually progress to this exercise by building strength and mastering standard push-ups first.

Spiderman Push Up

The Spiderman push-up is a challenging variation of the traditional push-up exercise that combines upper body strength training with core stability and mobility. It involves bringing one knee towards the elbow on the same side while performing a push-up. This exercise offers several benefits:

Increased upper body and core strength: Spiderman push-ups engage the chest, shoulders, triceps, and core muscles to a higher degree than regular push-ups. The movement of bringing the knee towards the elbow requires increased stabilization and activation of the core muscles, including the abs, obliques, and lower back.

Improved mobility and flexibility: The Spiderman push-up enhances mobility and flexibility in the hip flexors and groin area. As you bring your knee towards the elbow, it requires hip abduction and external rotation, which can help increase range of motion in these areas.

Core stability and balance: The unilateral movement pattern of the Spiderman push-up challenges your balance and core stability. By lifting one leg off the ground and bringing it towards the elbow, you activate the muscles responsible for maintaining stability and proper alignment.

Functional movement: The Spiderman push-up mimics movements used in sports and daily activities that require coordination, stability, and upper body strength. By integrating the upper body and lower body movement, it promotes a more functional strength that can transfer to real-life movements.

Increased calorie burn: Spiderman push-ups are more demanding than regular push-ups due to the additional core and leg movement. This can lead to an increased calorie burn during the exercise, making it beneficial for those seeking to improve their cardiovascular fitness and burn more calories.

Variation and muscle stimulation: Incorporating the Spiderman push-up into your workout routine adds variety and can help prevent plateaus. By targeting different muscle groups and challenging the body in a different way, it stimulates muscle growth and strength development.

It’s important to note that the Spiderman push-up requires a certain level of upper body and core strength, as well as proper form and control.

Pike Push Up

The pike push-up is an exercise that primarily targets the shoulders (deltoids), but it also engages several other muscle groups. Here are the muscles worked during pike push-ups:

Deltoids (Shoulders): The pike push-up places significant emphasis on the anterior deltoids (front of the shoulders), as well as the lateral deltoids (sides of the shoulders) and the posterior deltoids (rear of the shoulders). The vertical pressing motion targets these muscles and helps develop shoulder strength and stability.

Triceps Brachii: The triceps brachii, located on the back of the upper arm, assist in extending the elbows during the pike push-up movement. They work synergistically with the shoulders to generate pressing power.

Upper Chest (Clavicular Pectoralis): While not the primary target, the pike push-up also engages the clavicular portion of the pectoralis major, which is the upper chest muscle. This muscle assists in the pressing motion and contributes to the overall shoulder and chest development.

Core Muscles: The pike push-up requires significant engagement of the core muscles, including the rectus abdominis (front of the abs), obliques (sides of the abs), and transverse abdominis (deep core muscles). These muscles stabilize the body in the pike position and assist in maintaining proper form throughout the exercise.

Scapular Stabilizers: The muscles responsible for stabilizing the shoulder blades, such as the serratus anterior and the muscles of the rotator cuff (e.g., supraspinatus, infraspinatus), are activated during pike push-ups. They help stabilize and control the movement of the shoulder blades, enhancing shoulder stability and promoting proper shoulder mechanics.

Upper Back and Postural Muscles: The pike push-up indirectly engages muscles of the upper back, including the rhomboids, trapezius, and erector spinae. These muscles help stabilize the spine and maintain proper posture during the exercise.

The pike push-up is a challenging exercise that requires both upper body strength and core stability. It can be an effective way to develop shoulder strength, increase pressing power, and enhance overall upper body development. As with any exercise, it’s important to maintain proper form, start with a suitable level of difficulty, and progress gradually as your strength improves.

Divebomber

The Divebomber exercise is a dynamic and challenging movement that combines elements of both push-ups and downward-facing dog yoga poses. It targets multiple muscle groups, including the chest, shoulders, triceps, core, and hips. Here’s how to perform the Divebomber exercise:

Starting position: Begin in a push-up position with your hands placed slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the ground and your feet hip-width apart.

Downward phase: From the starting position, shift your weight backward, pushing your hips up and backward, while keeping your arms and legs straight. Your body will resemble an inverted V shape, similar to the downward-facing dog yoga pose.

Dive forward: Lower your upper body towards the ground by bending your elbows and bringing your chest forward and downward. Keep your head up and look forward as you transition smoothly into an arched position, similar to an upward-facing dog yoga pose. At this point, your chest will be lifted, and your shoulders will be rolled back.

Upward phase: Push through your hands, straighten your arms, and reverse the movement by lifting your hips up and back, pushing back into the starting inverted V position.

Return to the starting position: Continue the fluid movement by transitioning back to the initial push-up position, with your hands on the ground and your body forming a straight line from head to heels.

Repeat: Repeat the entire sequence for the desired number of repetitions.

The Divebomber exercise provides a dynamic stretch for the shoulders, chest, and hips while simultaneously engaging the muscles involved in a push-up. It also promotes flexibility, mobility, and core stability. This exercise can be challenging, especially for beginners or individuals with limited upper body strength or flexibility. It’s advisable to start with a modified version, such as performing the movement on your knees, and gradually progress as your strength and flexibility improve.

As with any exercise, it’s important to maintain proper form, perform the movement in a controlled manner, and listen to your body. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or concerns, it’s recommended to consult with a qualified fitness professional before attempting the Divebomber exercise.

Offset Push Up

The Offset Push-Up is a variation of the traditional push-up exercise that involves an uneven hand placement, with one hand positioned higher than the other. This exercise challenges the upper body muscles in a different way, requiring greater stability and strength on one side. Here’s how to perform the Offset Push-Up:

Set up: Start in a traditional push-up position with your hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart on the ground, fingers pointing forward or slightly outward. Position one hand slightly higher than the other, typically by placing it on an elevated surface like a step, yoga block, or weight plate. The hand placement can be varied between sets or repetitions to work both sides evenly.

Engage your core: Tighten your abdominal muscles and glutes to maintain a strong and stable body position throughout the exercise.

Lower your body: Lower yourself by bending your elbows, keeping them close to your sides, and maintaining a controlled movement. Aim to lower your chest towards the ground, while the offset hand stays higher than the other hand.

Push back up: Push through your palms and extend your elbows to return to the starting position, maintaining a controlled movement. Focus on engaging the chest, shoulders, and triceps to perform the pushing motion.

Repeat: Perform the desired number of repetitions with the offset hand placement. You can then switch the hand positions and repeat the exercise to work the other side.

The Offset Push-Up primarily targets the chest muscles (pectoralis major and minor), triceps brachii, and deltoids (shoulder muscles). By having one hand positioned higher, it increases the demand on the muscles of the lower side to maintain stability and control throughout the movement. This variation can help address any muscular imbalances between the left and right sides of the upper body.

It’s important to ensure that the offset hand placement is appropriate for your strength level and doesn’t compromise your form. Start with a lower height difference between the hands and gradually increase it as you become more comfortable and stronger. As always, maintain proper form, focus on controlled movements, and consult with a qualified fitness professional if you have any concerns or specific considerations regarding your fitness level or health.

What Does Training to Failure Mean?

Training to failure refers to performing an exercise or set of exercises until you’re unable to complete another repetition with proper form. It is a training technique commonly used to push your muscles to their limits and induce muscle fatigue. When you train to failure, you continue performing repetitions until your muscles reach a point of momentary muscular failure, where you can no longer complete another repetition.

Training to failure can be applied to various exercises, such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, or resistance training. The idea behind training to failure is that by pushing your muscles beyond their usual limits, you stimulate greater muscle fibre recruitment and promote muscle growth and strength development.

Here are some key points to consider when training to failure:

Muscle fatigue and intensity: Training to failure is an intense approach that places a high level of stress on your muscles. It’s important to recognize that training to failure may not be necessary for every workout or every exercise. It’s generally recommended for advanced or experienced individuals who have a solid foundation of strength and proper form.

Proper form and safety: While training to failure can be effective, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and maintain proper form throughout your exercises. Fatigue can compromise your technique and increase the risk of injury. If your form starts to break down significantly, it may be best to stop before reaching complete failure.

Recovery and overtraining: Training to failure can be demanding on your muscles and central nervous system. It may require more time for recovery and adaptation. Adequate rest, nutrition, and sleep are essential to support the recovery process and prevent overtraining.

Individualization: The ability to reach failure may vary between individuals based on factors such as fitness level, genetics, and the specific exercise being performed. It’s important to listen to your body and adjust the intensity and volume of your training to suit your individual needs and capabilities.

While training to failure can be an effective tool for muscle growth and strength gains, it’s not the only approach.

It’s important to incorporate a balanced training program that includes various training techniques, such as progressive overload, volume manipulation, and proper recovery strategies, to optimize your results and minimize the risk of overuse injuries. Consulting with a qualified fitness professional can provide personalized guidance and help you determine the most appropriate training methods for your goals and abilities.

Learn More

10 HIIT Exercises to Lose Belly Fat Faster

How to Use the Flat Dumbbell Bench Press to Build A Great Chest

How Many Exercises do you Need to Maximise Muscle Growth?

Best Hanging Ab Exercises