CHEST ARTICLES
- DR. JOEL SEEDMAN -
When it comes to utilizing functional presses for athletes and bodybuilders, sometimes we need to look past the traditional barbell and dumbbell chest press. Here are 25 of the best functional presses for athletic performance that also build functional strength & size.
Bodyweight exercises are some of the most natural feeling movements we can perform. Here’s how to apply eccentric overload to your favorite bodyweight movements such as pushups, dips, pullups, & rows, to maximize strength, size, & performance.
Offset loading training is one of my favorite strength training techniques not only for eliminating imbalances, asymmetries, and muscle dysfunction, but also for building ridiculous levels of functional strength, hypertrophy, motor control, and core stability. Read more here.
Excessive low back/lumbar arch on bench press movements is a common mistake even amongst advanced lifters. Not only does it set the individual up for potential injuries but also minimizes the effectiveness of the chest press itself. Let’s fix it!
The research is clear on what it takes to build muscle mass, improve functional strength, prevent injuries, and preserve joint health - simply, emphasize a movement’s eccentric phase. Here's how to apply it to the landmine apparatus for optimal results.
The box bench press is not only one of the safest chest pressing exercises there is but it’s also one of the most effective variations for improving your bench press strength and functional hypertrophy in the upper body. Here’s why.
Ninja Training | Hand Clap Pushup to 1-Arm Plank
Besides looking like a ninja, this unique variation of the hand-clap pushup builds a massive chest, powerful pressing mechanics, and unparalleled core stability. The question is do you have what it takes to perform it. (Read More →)
Crush Your Chest with the Sandwich Squeeze Press
Want to recruit as many chest fibers as possible? Of course you do! Add this to your next chest workout and see why it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular pressing movements amongst bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts alike. (Read More →)
6 Push-Up Variations You've Never Tried
These six push-up variations do it all. They can build your chest, strengthen your core, and even boost your bench press. Check 'em out. (Read More →)
Tip: The Worst Way to Do Push-Ups
The way most people perform push-ups leads to acute and chronic injury to the joints and tissues. Here's how to fix it. (Read More →)
Tip: The Truth About Push-up Handles
Are these gadgets helping you or hurting you? Here's what you probably don't know. (Read More →)
Pushups: You're Doing Them Wrong
A lot of people can't do one proper push-up, and you may be one of them. Dr. Seedman outlines the most common problems and how to fix 'em. (Read More →)
Test Your Bench Press Technique
Is your bench press technique setting you up for injury? Here's a quick test that will help ensure you're maximizing your pressing technique for building size, strength, and muscle function, as well as minimizing risk of injury. (Read More →)
Increase Your Bench Press and Squat with PREP Training
To overcome drawbacks with standard eccentric training, Dr. Seedman created Power Rack Eccentric Potentiation training (PREP), which stimulates incredible strength and hypertrophy gains in a safe manner. (Read More →)
The Truth About Dips and How to Perform Them
Since most athletes and trainees butcher dips, Dr. Seedman analyzes how to perform dips so they are healthy on the joints and produce incredible strength, size, and muscularity throughout the entire upper body. (Read More →)
New Articles
Here are 21 New Year’s resolution goals that all advanced lifters, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and general populations should apply to their training in the new year. These will take your performance, physique, strength, size, and health to the next level.
Proper lifting technique and body mechanics are essential for long-term joint health, performance, and physique improvements. With that said, here are 20 tell-tale indications you can use to determine whether or not your form is due for an overhaul.
Everyone squats the same regardless of individual differences and joint anthropometrics. A proper squat involves 90 degree joint angles and is most easily obtained by using eccentric isometrics with perfect posture and body alignment. Here are 101 truths everyone should know.
The fitness industry has lied to us one too many times. This article highlights the truth about yoga, flexibility training, mobility drills, & “range of motion” topics, supported by deep scientific research, observational data, & experiential findings.
When it comes to maximizing your strength, size, and performance, a low to moderate level of exercise variety is critical for maintaining progress and avoiding training stagnation. Here’s everything you need to know about exercise variety.
Can you sprint without warming up?? This is something humans have been able to do for centuries up until the last few decades. Unfortunately the fitness industry has ruined people’s bodies and contributed to us losing this practical human skill. Full Experiment here!!
The sissy squat has recently gained quite a bit of popularity in mainstream fitness and bodybuilding. Unfortunately it’s not only an inferior quad and thigh builder that lacks proper muscle stimulation, it destroys the knees. Here are 12 superior alternatives to sissy squats.
When it comes to utilizing functional presses for athletes and bodybuilders, sometimes we need to look past the traditional barbell and dumbbell chest press. Here are 25 of the best functional presses for athletic performance that also build functional strength & size.
Although mastering the big 7 with eccentric isometrics is paramount when it comes to mastering movement and muscle function, periodically including rotational training can be very effective particularly for athletes. Here are my 25 go-to rotational exercises.
The abductor and adductor muscles are incredibly important for hip function and joint health. Unfortunately they’re commonly neglected. Here’s how to properly train them for maximal performance, muscle function, and joint health.
Research has shown that overcoming isometrics are one of the most effective techniques for increasing motor unit recruitment & post activation potentiation. Combining eccentric isometrics with overcoming isometrics produces even greater gains in strength, size, & performance.
Eyes-closed training is something I frequently incorporate with all of my clients and athletes. That’s because it improves movement mechanics and muscle function due to enhanced proprioceptive feedback from the muscles. Here’s how.
Loaded carries are some of the most simple yet effective strength training movements you can perform for building functional strength and size throughout the body. Here are my top 30 favorite variations along with 10 tips to help master any loaded carry or farmer’s walk.
Bodyweight training is the new rage. Unfortunately most folks end up going about their quarantine and home bodyweight workouts in a very ineffective way thereby sacrificing their gym gains. Here are 25 key tips you should implement immediately.
Pullups are one of the most effective staples in any training program. Unfortunately most lifters including advanced bodybuilders and “expert” strength coaches perform them incorrectly thereby negating the benefits. Here’s how to do them.
Bodyweight exercises are some of the most natural feeling movements we can perform. Here’s how to apply eccentric overload to your favorite bodyweight movements such as pushups, dips, pullups, & rows, to maximize strength, size, & performance.
Stretching and flexibility training has been a controversial topic for decades in the strength and conditioning industry. Here’s everything you need to know to safely optimize your flexibility, mobility, and ROM using eccentric isometric protocols.
Are you looking for a unique yet potent mass builder for your entire back (upper, middle, and low back musculature)? If the answer is yes then you’ll want to try this modified drop set on the seated row station.
When it comes to building massive pectorals it’s tough to beat the basics such as barbell presses, dumbbell presses, weighted pushups, dips and chest flyes. Unfortunately none of these variations fully maximize the functions of the pectoral muscle fibers.
Fitting upper body isolation exercises into your training routine can be tricky particularly when you’re looking to emphasize larger compound movements in your lifting program. Here are my favorite ways to crush your arms while saving time and improving functional performance.
Want to maximize your athletic performance, strength, muscularity, stability, and joint health? Time to start taking advantage of functional training methods that utilize the anterior and posterior oblique slings via contralateral hip activation and unilateral movement patterns.
Offset loading training is one of my favorite strength training techniques not only for eliminating imbalances, asymmetries, and muscle dysfunction, but also for building ridiculous levels of functional strength, hypertrophy, motor control, and core stability. Read more here.
The barbell Zercher squat is an incredibly effective lower body exercise. However it also has its share of downfalls. Here's how to use kettlebells and landmine stations to improve the effectiveness of this classic strength exercise.
The good morning exercise is one of the best posterior chain movements that crushes the glutes and hamstrings while also blasting the postural muscles of the upper body. Unfortunately it gets a bad rap. Here’s how to perform it correctly plus 20 unique variations.





When it comes to building massive pectorals it’s tough to beat the basics such as barbell presses, dumbbell presses, weighted pushups, dips and chest flyes. Unfortunately none of these variations fully maximize the functions of the pectoral muscle fibers.