Chest Squeeze with Rubber Band

Strengthens muscles of the chest.

Equipment
You can purchase specially made circle-shaped exercise rubberbands at sporting good stores. Make your own by buying rubberbands used for slingshots or pipe-tying at a hardware store or market, then make a circle shape by tying a double-knot. Always check your rubberband for tears before using it

Exercise Technique

1. Cross your hands at the wrist as you hold the opposite ends of the circle-shaped rubberband. Make sure that there is slight tension on the band.
2. Push your hands in opposite directions as you exhale. Hold for a split-second.
3. Inhale as you slowly release back to the starting position.

Performance Tips

1. Keep your back straight throughout the whole exercise by lightly squeezing your shoulder blades together.
2. Contract your chest muscles before using your hands to push against the rubberband. In other words, start the motion with the muscle, then move your arms.

Repetitions
Do twelve to fifteen repetitions. This is one set. Do one or two more sets if you want to.

Go to Common Exercises...