Thor Inspired Chest Workout
A wide chest has been the symbol of masculinity and strength since the beginning of time. It is no surprise superheroes have big pecs. A thick chest is what separates the boys from the superheroes.
If being a demi-god wasn’t enough, Thor has a perfectly crafted physique to put us mear mortals to shame. Although we can’t possibly turn into demi-gods, we can surely transform our bodies to look like them.
Chris Hemsworth’s pecs in the Thor movies are the result of countless hours spent in the gym. Thor’s pecs are close to perfect when it comes to size and definition. To build a chest like a demi-god’s, you need to have a balance of compound and isolation exercises in your workouts.
You don’t need to be the god of thunder to go through Thor’s chest workout, but you’ll have to put in all you’ve got. We’ll include advanced training techniques in the workout to completely annihilate your pecs.
The Basics of Hitting Chest
In order to build a chest suitable to defend Asgard, you are going to want to hit every angle of the pec. This consists of upper, mid, and lower pec movements. The chest is also a decent sized muscle, so you can move some weight, incorporate supersets, and give it a real beating.
Let’s dive into the workout itself!
Set 1 – Superset
Cable Crossovers – 3 Sets 15 Reps x Machine Chest Press – 3 Sets 15 Reps
We start the chest workout with a superset of isolation exercises to exhaust your pecs at the beginning of the workout. Most people start the workout with compound exercises and lift heavy weights.
While there is nothing wrong with lifting heavy at the beginning of the workout, it increases your possibility of getting an injury. Don’t just go through the motions in these exercises, pause and squeeze your pecs at the top of the movement.
Set 2 – Bench Press – 3 Sets 15-12-10 Reps
Seeing this exercise in this workout shouldn’t come to you as a surprise. The bench press is a compound exercise and is incredibly effective in adding size to your pecs. Most people make the mistake of going too heavy on this exercise.
Make sure you don’t bounce the barbell off of your chest and you shouldn’t lock out your elbows at the top of the movement. Doing so will help you in maintaining a constant tension on your chest.
Set 3 – Incline Dumbbell Press – 2 Sets 12 Reps Third Set Drop Set 15-12 Reps
The upper chest is one of the weakest muscle groups for most people. Incline dumbbell press on a 50-degree angle with help you in optimally targeting your upper pecs. Maintain a mind-muscle connection while performing this exercise.
The last set on this exercise will be a drop set. After completing 12 reps on the first two sets, perform 15 reps on the third set and then drop the weights and go into the fourth set for 12 reps or failure without taking a rest.
Set 4 – Decline Dumbbell Chest Fly – 3 Sets 10 Reps
For an overall development of your pecs, you need to train it from all angles. The decline dumbbell flyes target your lower pecs and are a great exercise for helping you develop the separation between your abdominal and chest.
While performing this exercise, make sure your elbows are locked at an angle. While doing the flyes, the movement should happen at the shoulder joints and the elbows should remain locked.
Set 5 – Giant Set
Plate Chest Press – 3 Sets 10 Reps
Push-Ups – 3 Sets Failure
Dips – 3 Sets Failure
You’ll be ending this workout with a giant set. Just like a superset involves you performing two back-to-back exercises, a giant includes three continuous exercises. In these last three exercises, we’ll be focusing on contracting the muscles and leaving the gym with a muscle-ripping pump.
In the plate chest press, lie down on a flat bench and hold a weight plate between your hands with your arms extended. Lower the plate to the center of your chest and return to the starting position and contract your pecs.
Your pecs should be completely fried by now and you should have a hard time performing the push-ups and dips. If the bodyweight versions of these exercises are easy, feel free to add resistance by using weights.
Which superhero in your opinion has the best chest? Let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.
