I was reading an article recently whose title was what to do if your pecks won’t get any bigger. I think the real question is why on earth would you want your pecks to get bigger?
This is a question asked mostly by men. They seem obsessed by muscle growth particularly chest and shoulders. I would have to ask the question is this functional? Or in other words what value is having huge chest muscles give you?
A lot of men that I see in class have grossly over developed chest, traps and delts but an underdeveloped lower body. They invariably have skinny legs and don’t look very well balanced.
If that wasn’t enough of a problem having hugely developed chest muscles and weak shoulder retractors means that their shoulders are going to round forward. This will, over time causes the head to come forward over the centre line and give them a stooped appearance.
What we need to do is have a balanced workout. One that works all the muscles of the body evenly not focusing on any one muscle growth. If we don’t not only will we look like a Neanderthal but inevitably over time pain will develop due to muscle imbalances and the inevitable bad posture.
That’s why I believe including Pilates as part of your fitness regime is such a good idea. It will educate you in the element of good posture, give you a firm foundation and teach you the importance of balance in all things not just exercise.
So come on guys less bench pressing and more Mat work trust me you will end up stronger that way.