Best Chest Exercises to Build Upper Body Strength, Gain Muscle

Just because the summer is coming to an end doesn't necessarily mean your toned core, strong muscle and upper body has to end as well. That is to say you already had some upper body strength, of course. Anyway, what we've got for you today are some of the best chest exercises around, ones that you can pick and choose from to create the best fitness plan for you.

Men's Health reports that "a powerful-looking body starts with a chiseled chest." With that in mind, let's get to the exercises, shall we?

INCLINE BENCH PRESS
This exercise can be done with free weights or a bar. Either way, lie on an inclined bench – roughly a 45 degree angle. If you choose dumbbells, hold them with your palms facing your feet. Position your arms so that your elbows sink low and the dumbbells come near parallel to your shoulders. Then push up.

CHEST SQUEEZE PUSHUP
This exercises mimics that of a regular pushup. The only different here is that you're holding two dumbbells together while doing the pushup. The two weights should be parallel to one another, and as you lower your body, touch your chest to the dumbbells.

DECLINE BENCH PRESS
If you're looking to make that chest pop, decline bench pressing is your friend. Men's Health suggests a dumbbell decline press, but using a bar is also a great way to tackle that upper body. So, how's it done? Simply put: lie down on a decline bench and do a bench press. 'Nuff said.

ARCHER PUSHUP
Hoping to one day do a one-arm pushup? Well, this is the first step. The Archer Pushup positions your left hand under your shoulder (in a pushup position, of course). Next, "extend your right arm straight out to your side and place your hand on a medicine ball or low step." Next? Do a pushup.

There's also this variation of a pushup:

For more chest exercises, check out Men's Health.