Having excess fat around your chest may bring insecurities not just physically but may also compromise your health.
A study revealed that the more fat a person stores in their chest, the more likely they are to develop heart disease.
With that said, we've come up with the best chest exercises for burning fat and what approach you can do to melt not just your fats but your worries away.
Let's begin.
Can Upper Body Workouts Help Reduce Chest Fat?
Upper body workouts can help reduce chest fat by mixing chest-specific exercises with other workouts that target supporting muscles around the chest area.
Crafting and implementing a practical workout routine to trim chest fat can be fun and exciting.
The key is to learn what exercises you can work with and give it a test to know what can work best for you.
Are There Exercises That Target Chest Fat?
Yes, some exercises may target chest fat.
But, targeted exercise may not alone get rid of stubborn fat deposits in your chest. Undoubtedly, it can help.
Lifting weights is just one of the many exercises that put a squeeze on your chest fat.
Also, these chest workouts emphasize focus on the major muscles found in the chest: the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and serratus anterior [1].
If you create a habit of doing chest exercises every day, you can tone your chest muscles and reduce fat at the same time to make a firmer, sculpted look.
Also Read: Strongman Brian Shaw's Chest Exercises
What Are Chest Specific Workouts To Shed Fat?
There are specific chest workouts for fat burning, which you can do with or without any equipment.
Here are the top chest exercises:
1. Push-Ups
The push-up is a classic, proven exercise that works on your chest and upper limb. It targets your pectoralis muscles or "pecs'' and the serratus anterior muscles or "wing" muscles under your armpit.
Push-Ups are effective exercises for building upper body strength as it also engages the core and the lower back.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: None
- Position by getting down on all fours, your palms resting on the floor, arms placed slightly wider than your shoulder. Straighten your legs behind.
- Next, slowly lower your body and maintain your chest above the floor. Hold for a few seconds, then press upward to push your body back up, forming a high plank position.
Repeat as many reps as possible.
Also Read: Old School Chest Workout Routine
2. Standing Cable Fly
Standing cable fly is a machine exercise that primarily targets your pecs and engages muscles on your upper limbs.
Some cable fly variations may not require any special equipment, while others may need different types of cable fly equipment.
Knowing which works for you can help you to strengthen your upper body and reduce chest fat effectively.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: Cable machine
Before you begin, set both pulleys directly or slightly above your shoulder height and select the desired weight.
Start by grabbing both handles with a regular grip and take a step with one leg forward and one leg back.
Press the cables out until your hands meet at the center while keeping your chest upright and abs tight.
Next, allow the arms to open in a controlled manner with a slight bend on your elbows as your chest stretches.
Then, bring your hands together while flexing your chest muscles. Continue by opening your arms and squeezing your chest muscles. Repeat as many as possible.
3. Bench Press
The bench press is an ideal exercise that mainly works your pecs and upper limb muscles.
It is perfect for lean muscle gain and reducing chest fat while building upper body strength.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: Bench and a Barbell
Start by lying on a bench, flat on your back. Grab a barbell over your chest with both hands, slightly wider than your shoulder-width.
Fix your feet flat on the ground, and your hips press against the bench.
Next, gradually lift the bar by pulling your shoulder blades together and arching your back. Breathe out as you lower the bar to your chest, maintaining your elbow bent at a 45-degree angle.
Continue by slowly lifting back up and repeat as many reps as possible.
4. Cable Crossover
The cable crossover is a cable fly variation to strengthen the muscles of the upper chest area. It primarily targets your pecs and engages your anterior deltoids.
Cable crossover can help you gain more muscles and build strength. It can also tone the muscle around your chest and underneath your arms to reduce chest fat.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: Cable Crossover Machine
Start by standing with your left leg forward and your right leg back, your body facing forward, and your back to the machine.
With your hips steady, grab the handles and slowly bring both pulleys all the way forward until your arms cross into an X shape.
Keep your chest straight and core tight.
Then, open your arms and stretch your chest with elbows slightly bent. Repeat as many as you can.
5. Dumbbell Pullover
The dumbbell pullover is an excellent workout for your chest and upper limb.
It mainly targets the pectoralis major and serratus anterior of your chest. It also engages your lats at your back as it helps increase upper body strength.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: Bench and Dumbbell
Start by lying on a bench, flat on your back, with your head almost hanging at the edge.
Secure the dumbbell with both hands and straighten your arms over your chest, with elbows slightly bent and palms facing each other.
Keep your abs and back steady as you lower the weights over your head. Keep your arms extended as low as you can for a few seconds, then slowly return your arms over your chest.
Repeat as many reps as possible.
6. Pec Deck
A pec deck is technically a weight machine used for chest routines.
It works by squeezing some muscles on the upper parts of the body and activating the pectoralis muscles and serratus anterior.
The pec deck exercise helps build up power and strength on your chest muscles and upper body.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: Pec Deck Machine
Position by sitting on the machine with your head and back pressed against the back pad. Keep your feet flat on the ground. Place your forearms on the vertical pads so you can grab the handles with your hands.
Start by squeezing your chest and pulling your arms together to the center of your body. Then, slowly release the tension by reversing the movement until your chest is fully stretched out as in the starting position.
Repeat as many reps as possible.
7. Straight Bar Dips
The straight bar dip is a challenging chest dip variation that works primarily on your pecs and upper limb muscles.
It is an excellent workout to enhance upper body strength and improve hand grip.
Steps To Get It Done
Equipment: Straight Bar Dip Station or Dip Machine
Start by stepping up on a straight bar dip station and grabbing the bar with thumbs facing in.
Lower yourself into a dip by unlocking and bending your elbows until your forearms are almost parallel to the ground.
In a controlled manner, drive back to the starting position by pushing through your palms.
Repeat as many as you can.
Are Chest Workouts Effective To Burn Male Chest Fat Or Man Boobs?
Chest workouts may be an effective way to burn male chest fat or what others call man boobs.
However, understanding the causes of male chest fat can help us craft ways to reduce those awkward excess fats.
Most men may think that a poor lifestyle causes too much fat on their chest. It may be true at some point. However, a medical condition called gynecomastia can be a reason for this.
Gynecomastia is a word to describe an increase in the development of breast tissue in men caused mainly by hormonal imbalance, such as having high levels of estrogen or deficient levels of testosterone [2].
However, some cases of gynecomastia may not be fixed by a simple weight loss diet and workout regime [3]. Men with such cases might be recommended for both cosmetic and hormone replacement to treat imbalances.
On the other hand, pseudo gynecomastia or fake gynecomastia has nothing to do with hormones. It is natural for men to store extra fat in the chest area, which seems to look like man boobs.
Although pseudo gynecomastia can also be readily resolved through liposuction and diet, weight loss exercises [4] may improve this condition by decreasing your overall body fat to reduce chest fat.
To sum it up, chest workouts can effectively help promote male chest fat. But since everyone is shaped by genetics differently, results may not be the same for all.
Related Article:
Are You Going to Try These Chest Fat Exercises?
Chest exercises can enhance overall body fat burning by consistent practice with other upper body workouts and healthy living.
The point being, aiming to reduce chest fat is no different from losing fat in other areas of your body. It should come as part of overall body fat loss.
And while chest exercises can help with that, they can also tone and make your chest area firm and maintain your body in good shape.
So, no time for worries. Just start your chest routines today.
Also, plan a diet that can help balance your hormones and take proper supplements to boost your workout. You are sure to improve your heart health and gain a well-defined chest.
References:
- https://teachmeanatomy.info/upper-limb/muscles/pectoral-region/#:~:text=anterior%20chest%20wall.-,It%20contains%20four%20muscles%20that%20exert%20a%20force%20on%20the,minor%2C%20serratus%20anterior%20and%20subclavius.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351793#:~:text=With%20gynecomastia%2C%20tissue%20inside%20the,the%20hormones%20estrogen%20and%20testosterone.
- https://www.austinplasticsurgeons.com/doctor-holzman/can-gynecomastia-be-treated-with-weight-loss-and-exercise/
- https://www.healthymale.org.au/news/ask-doc-how-do-i-get-rid-gynecomastia-man-boobs
About The Author
You May Also Like
