One of the most common questions to get asked on the gym is how to get a ripped chest. Large rippling chest muscles look sexy and are one of the first things that other people notice when you take your top off down at the pool or beach. Great pec muscles also add shape to your body when wearing a shirt or T shirt.

The general shape of the muscle is generally defined by the large pectoralis major muscle that lies on the chest. Underneath this muscle, however, there is a smaller muscle, the pectoralis minor which lies directly against the chest wall.

To get these chest muscles we have to do exercises that focus on the two muscle groups. stimulating them into growth. However, exercising other large muscles such as the quadriceps on the front of the thigh can help. Working these groups stimulates the production of growth hormone which encourages muscle growth throughout the body.

The bench press is one of the most popular exercises for the chest. It has to be performed correctly and slowly to reap its full benefits. Lying on a bench, on your back, hold a barbell above you at arms length. Then slowly lower the barbell down until it just touches the chest at which point start to push it back up until your arms are straight again. Do this slowly, with no jerky movements or arched back.

The next area to look at is how to see those finely sculpted chest muscles you have built up. It is no good going on a crash diet to lose weight as you will go into a catabolic state and start burning up that preciously earned muscle. You need to reduce calorie intake but also burn extra calories with aerobic exercise.

To get this definition you need to maintain a good level of protein intake but also to start adding some cardio routines into your workout schedule. What tends to happen, if you don’t do this, is that you will gain muscle as well as fat. This will increase your overall size but you will be poorly defined and look bloated.

Most people want to know how long all this will take. The answer is – it depends. It depends on whether you are consistent with your workout program and on maintaining a correct diet. The two key elements are consistency and to make small gains regularly, which will keep you motivated. Work hard and you can reach your target in as little as eleven weeks.