The existence of "upper pecs"

[DanielBishop]

Oh yeah, I've been meaning to ask about the pec-delt tie-in....

.... what exercises can help deliver that solid slab of muscle across the upper pecs which seems to connect to the front delts (ala Chris Cormier)? Most guys have the problem of the natural groove where the pec muscles and delt muscles meet....

 

[argent]

It isn't a matter of saying "Incline works only the upper pecs", or "Flat works only the middle to lower pecs". It is more a matter of shifting emphasis to one region to another.

 

[louden_swain]

Upper pectorals do exist!!! The best exercise for targetting the entire chest is incline presses.

 

[Tarheel]

My roomate works chest a lot (too much IMO).

He benches around 270 or 280, but had never done incline presses untill about a month ago. At my recommendation, he started doing 3 sets of 8, DB Incline press after his flat benching, and within a few weeks we could see considerable results in his upper pec region.

 

[skaman607]

what are some exercises to work the serratus?

 

[louden_swain]

what are some exercises to work the serratus?

Cable crunches and cross bench pull-overs.

 

[Cuts]

what are some exercises to work the serratus?

Lateral raises... once you go past shoulder level.

You see the lateral raise is an interesting movement, involving 3 different muscle groups from start to absolute finish. Beginning with the dumbell adjacent to your thigh, your teres minor initiates the movement till about 30 degrees. From 30 degrees to shoulder level is the part most familiar to us, working the powerful deltoid. Anything past that all the way to holding the dumbell over your head is accomplished by the serratus.

Man would my Anatomy professor be proud of me now!

 

[argent]

Lateral raises... once you go past shoulder level.

You see the lateral raise is an interesting movement, involving 3 different muscle groups from start to absolute finish. Beginning with the dumbell adjacent to your thigh, your teres minor initiates the movement till about 30 degrees. From 30 degrees to shoulder level is the part most familiar to us, working the powerful deltoid. Anything past that all the way to holding the dumbell over your head is accomplished by the serratus.

Man would my Anatomy professor be proud of me now!

I think you mean the trapezius. The serratus contracts in a different direction.

 

[Cuts]

You're right, the trapezius undoubtedly plays a major role too. But I do remember specifically reading that the serratus anterior group participate as well... maybe not so much in the prime movement, but rather stabablization?

 

[strong island]

Oh NOOOOOOO!!!

We opened up this can of worms again. There was a HUGE discussion about this a few months ago. Let me see if I can find it.