These dumbbell moves will help you build an impressive upper body.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re here with a newsflash: Strong, muscular pecs aren\u2019t just for building an impressive physique or crushing upper-body sessions at the gym<\/a>. An impressive chest build supports both of those things\u2014but so much more. Strong pectoral muscles promote upper-body strength<\/a>, lower injury risk, and support everyday functional movements<\/a>. This includes carrying heavy groceries, pushing your cart at Home Depot, and even opening a stubborn door. They can also prevent slouching and help your golf swing.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to show your pecs some extra TLC, we have just the routine to get you started. We spoke with Jacob Siwicki<\/b>, an online fitness coach and founder of Siwicki Fitness<\/a>, with clients ranging from those in their 20s to their 70s, who shares five dumbbell exercises<\/a> that will build strength faster than gym machines after 55. Before launching Siwicki Fitness in 2020, Siwicki was a top 1% globally ranked instructor at Equinox.<\/p>\n \u201cChest strength tends to decline with age, even in people who stay active, because they tend to use less weight. They believe what society says, that they can\u2019t use heavy weights when they get older. But if they continue to use heavy weights and even increase their weights, their chest strength gets stronger and stronger and stronger,\u201d Siwicki explains. \u201cGym machines might fall short on all of this because they restrict your movement and your range of motion, and they keep you static. With dumbbells, you\u2019re using free weights, so you\u2019re also working your stability and your stabilizers at the same time, which is very important when you get older, for balance.\u201d<\/p>\n Siwicki chose these specific exercises because they\u2019re safe and effective for those 55+ and he has clients doing these workouts who are 75 years old. They began using five-pound dumbbells and progressed to 30-pound dumbbells in most of these exercises.<\/p>\n \tFloor Chest Press<\/p>\n \u201cThe floor catches your elbows on every rep, so the shoulder can\u2019t drop into a dangerous range,\u201d Siwicki says.<\/p>\n\n