Now that you’ve built your pecs, feel free to flex them.
In 2015, Gallup polls reported that 55.5% of all Americans exercised consistently every week, a seven-year high. While everyone has their own individual goals, it doesn’t take an expert to know that keeping fit has a significant impact on body image (but if you want an expert’s opinion, take it from the same source that people who exercise most feel most confident about their looks).
Whether competing in your first bodybuilding competition or just flexing in the gym mirror when no one’s looking, showing off your results is only natural when you’ve put in the work. To showcase their physiques, bodybuilders typically use 11 poses — let’s start with three that emphasize the pecs.
Front Double Biceps
While the name may say “biceps,” this classic bodybuilding pose also shows off your best pecs. It’s the pose most people go to when playing charades and trying to guess “bodybuilder.”
As you make fists that point inward toward your head, raise your arms so that your biceps are parallel to your shoulders and bent at your elbows. Make sure to keep your arms high enough so you can flare out your lats (the muscles on the sides of your back), and bend your knees a bit.
Do not shrug your shoulders — keep them level to draw attention to your chest. Vacuum your abs by sucking your stomach to highlight your pecs and lats. Keep your chest up and engaged with your elbows pointing just a bit forward to emphasize the pecs and lats.
Most Muscular
Adding this pose to your Incredible Hulk impression makes all the front-facing upper-body muscles pop, especially your traps, arms, and chest.
Stand with your knees bent and legs staggered; tighten your thighs to show off your leg muscles. Lean slightly forward with your torso.
Bring your hands together near your belly button — you might make tight fists, clasp your fingers, or grasp one wrist. As you bring your hands together, elbows bent, think of hugging a large barrel and engaging your whole body. Pop your biceps, forearms, and abs, and squeeze your pecs hard.
Side Chest
This is your chest’s big moment. It’s all in the name; it shows off your quadriceps and biceps but highlights your pectorals.
Bend the front leg at the knee and flex the hamstrings so that only your toes touch the ground while the rear leg remains straight. Position your body, so your front leg faces your “audience” in a complete side view.
You will feel your bicep pop by bending your front-facing arm 90 degrees at the elbow and pressing it into your body. Now clasp the wrist of your front arm with the wrist of your back arm.
This arm position encourages you to do just what you set out to do: squeeze your pecs together. Keep your chest up, not your shoulders, and your abs inward, arching your back a bit to put your pecs on display.
References