Build A Massive Chest Like Jay Cutler With These Top Chest Exercises

Check out these favorite chest building exercises of the great bodybuilder, Jay Cutler.

A chiseled chest has been the symbol of machoism for a long time. Jay Cutler, the 4X Mr. Olympia, is the poster boy for a broad chest and a narrow waist. There are no doubts Jay’s chest was a big factor in getting him the title of the best bodybuilder in the world.

Jay Cutler’s chest training program is different from what you might expect when you look at him. He follows a conservative approach when it comes to working out. He relies heavily on machines for his training. This mass monster believes eliminating the use of barbells reduces the chances of injury in the gym.

These amazing chest building exercises are perfect for seeing serious gains and will give you those pecs like Jay himself. Let’s get into this so you know exactly how to beef up your chest for the better.

About Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler is from Massachusetts and excelled in athletics from an early age. Receiving a college degree, his love of fitness drove him to compete and he soon found lifting to be incredibly fulfilling. He took to bodybuilding and earned his pro card in 1996 after winning the Tournament of Champions.

Knowing he wanted to pursue this, he moved to California and began training harder. With his increased work ethic and rise in the bodybuilding community, he signed deals with supplement companies and started his own clothing line. His great bodybuilding resume is highlighted by four Mr. Olympia wins and he is forever remembered in the sport as a multi-Olympia champion.

Jay Cutler’s Favorite Chest Building Exercises

In order for Jay to keep up with his massive and shredded physique, he loves to perform certain chest exercises to really pump up his pecs. These exercises are perfect for those looking to see massive gains and will greatly enhance those bodybuilding goals so you can look like Jay himself.

1. Hammer Strength Chest Press – 3 Sets 10 Reps

Jay stays away from lifting heavy barbells. This is a smart move especially if you’re prepping for a contest. An injury is the last thing you want while training to get on stage. Leverage chest press is a great substitute for the flat bench press.

Since this is a controlled isolation movement, feel free to use heavy weights. Cutler is big on establishing a mind-muscle connection. This allows for better muscle growth since your mind and body are on the same page. At the top of the movement, squeeze the living hell out of your pecs for that extra pump to take full advantage of this lift.

2. Incline Dumbbell Bench Press – 3 Sets 10 Reps

The upper chest is a weak muscle group for most people so focusing on this is key. If you’re one of these people, you can make it even worse by not training it often. Incline dumbbell bench press is incredibly effective at targeting your upper pectoral muscles. Follow a complete range of motion and contract your chest with every rep to get the most out of this exercise.

Jay doesn’t follow the conventional 12, 10, 8 reps scheme in his workouts. He does consistent 10 reps in all his sets. Although you will be doing the same number of sets in each set, don’t hold back from pushing yourself and increasing the weights.

3. Pullovers – 3 Sets 10 Reps

Most people do pullovers for their back, but Jay does it for his upper pecs. You don’t have to use heavy weights during this exercise. Use moderate weights so you can control and perform slow and deliberate reps with this. Don’t lock out your elbows during this exercise to prevent unwanted soreness and potential injury.

Locking your elbows will engage your back and take all the tension off of your pecs. Lying cross-bodied on the bench during this exercise is more effective than lying straight. In the cross-bodied position, your hips and back are hanging low while your chest is elevated. Doing this helps with a better pec recruitment.

4. Cable Crossovers – 3 Sets 10 Reps

If you want to build a chest like Jay Cutler your chest workouts should be a mix of isolation and compound exercise. Compound exercises help with building the size and strength while isolation exercises help with building muscle definition. Each with their own respective benefit, both compound and isolation exercises are necessary for a great routine.

Cable crossovers help with building the striations in your middle chest. Holding and squeezing at the top of the movement will help you get the chest separation and definition. Stand with your chest out and back arched while performing this exercise.

5. Dips – 3 Sets 10 Reps

Dips can prove to be a brutal exercise after what you’ve already put your chest through. This exercise is great for building your lower pecs and improving the definition in your chest. Maintain a full range of motion while performing dips will provide for better gains to muscle growth by working the muscle more.

If the bodyweight version of this exercise is too easy for you, feel free to use weights. Don’t just go through the motions while performing dips. Hold and squeeze your pecs at the top of the movement.

More Chest Work With Jay

For those looking to get even more great chest workouts from Jay Cutler, definitely check out these videos!

A high-volume chest workout like the one below will work your muscles to fatigue while seeing unbelievable growth.

This chest and biceps workout is a great upper body killer and will for sure spark some serious muscle growth.

Wrap Up

These chest building exercises from Jay Cutler are exactly what you need to make your chest day something to look forward to. By putting an emphasis on your chest and giving yourself the best benefits possible with these great exercises, you will certainly pump yourself up to develop a strong and shredded physique. Give these exercises a try and let us know what you think of these as you look to pump those pecs like Jay.

Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

*Images courtesy of Jay Cutler Instagram