The 14 Best Chest Exercises for Women, According to Fitness Experts

Did you know that your chest houses some of the largest muscles in the upper body? Home to the pectoralis muscles, your chest is responsible for moving and controlling the arms. Even daily functional tasks like washing your hair, pushing open a door, or getting up and down from the floor all heavily recruit your chest. While we put so much emphasis on lean legs and a strong core (those are, of course, important parts of the fitness equation), a well-rounded training regimen incorporates chest work too.

"Our pectoral muscles play a key role in maintaining our posture and balancing the upper body," says Fitness expert and entrepreneur Holly Dolke. "With good posture comes better breathing, improved digestion, and circulation," she says. Plus, Dolke adds that a toned chest adds power to your shoulders and arms, which helps with strengthening your body for everyday tasks like picking up grocery bags and holding your baby. "When we work our chest, we also work the surrounding muscles including the shoulders, back, and arms."

Dolke and fitness experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute Wellness Lab teamed up to bring you the best chest exercises for women. This variety of exercise movements work every angle of the chest and engage supporting muscles too. Try the workout format below and you'll be on your way to that perfect pushup in no time. And of course, always consult your physician or healthcare practitioner before starting any exercise regimen.

10 Minute Chest Workout for Women

• Select 5 exercises from the list below.
• Perform each exercise for 30 seconds and try to minimize any rest inbetween movements.
• Once you have completed 30 seconds of all five exercises, rest for one minute.
• Repeat 3 times.