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7 Breast Lifting Exercises: Lift, Firm & Perk Them Up

Christiana Mikesch
Published by Christiana Mikesch | Senior Coach
Last updated: August 18, 2023

I’ve had countless clients come to me over the last decade wanting to solve specific body challenges. Many female clients seek lifted breasts without investing in expensive breast implants or surgery.

After a deep dive into the research done by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and many other studies, I learned that exercises for firm breasts have proven effective and safe when performed correctly.

These targeted workouts enhance the appearance of the chest area and improve overall posture and muscle balance.

Let’s begin.

Quick Summary

  • The best exercises to counteract saggy breasts are the chest press, push-up, and fly.
  • Exercises to lift breasts strengthen the muscles underneath the breast tissue.
  • Breasts do not contain muscle but glands and tissue.

Best Chest Exercises to Lift Breasts

A woman lifting her breasts

There are no breast muscles but connective tissue, glands, and fatty tissue [1].

However, implementing a chest workout regularly into your fitness routine will increase underlying muscle mass and result in a more aesthetically pleasing chest.

Cobra Pose

Warm up your upper-body workout with this stretch to activate chest muscles.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Lie on your stomach.
  • Extend your legs and place the tops of your feet on the floor.
  • Place hands directly under shoulders, elbows tucked in.
  • Lift the head and chest off the ground while holding the shoulders back and keeping the neck neutral.
  • Straighten your arms as much as is comfortable; hold the pose for 30 seconds.
  • Return to start; repeat three times.

Learn More: Cobra Back Workout Exercises

Dumbbell Chest Press

A person doing dumbbell chest press workouts at the gym

Here’s how to do it:

  • Lie on a bench with knees bent.
  • Keep feet flat on the floor.
  • Raise arms above chest with palms away from the body.
  • Bend elbows to lower weights until reaching a 90-degree angle; keep back flat on the bench.
  • Press under control back to starting position with arms extended.
  • Repeat.

Push-Up

The push-up is a great bodyweight exercise that can act as a workout finisher to increase blood flow to the pectoral muscles.

Try wall push-ups from a standing position with a similar movement pattern, or do medicine ball push-ups for a broader range of motion.

Here’s how to do the classic push-up:

  • Begin in a high plank position.
  • With elbows slightly bent, engage chest muscles.
  • Lower body until it is close to the floor, maintaining a straight posture.
  • Push away from the ground, returning to the starting position.
  • Repeat.

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Wide Push-Up

A person doing wide push ups at the gym

Wide push-ups target your chest, upper arms, and shoulders.

They also work the serratus anterior better than traditional push-ups [2].

Here’s how to do them:

  • Begin in a traditional push-up position with hands wider than shoulders and fingers facing forward or slightly to the outside.
  • Slowly lower your body.
  • Pause when the chest is just below the elbows and engage the core as you return to the starting position.
  • Perform 1–3 sets of 8–15 repetitions.

“The serratus anterior muscle spans the upper eight or nine ribs. This muscle helps you rotate or move your scapula (shoulder blade) forward and up. Sometimes it’s referred to as the boxer’s muscle.”

- Jaime Herndon, MS, MPH, MFA

Dumbbell Fly

The dumbbell fly is a classic bodybuilding movement that isolates and builds the pec muscles to help lift drooping breasts.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Hold a dumbbell in each hand using a neutral grip.
  • Lay back on the bench and keep weights close to your chest.
  • Take a deep breath, and press weights to lock out elbows at the top.
  • Retract shoulder blades, unlock elbows, and lower dumbbells laterally while keeping a slight bend to elbows.
  • Reverse movement by squeezing pecs together and bringing dumbbells back to starting position.
  • Repeat.

Plank-to-Side-Plank

A person doing planks at a home gym

This plank variation targets the core muscles, front of the shoulders, and upper back rotation, opening up and activating chest muscles.

It can also improve upper-body stability and range of motion.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Start in a high plank position.
  • Keeping your body in a straight line.
  • Hands should be shoulder-width apart.
  • The feet should be hip-width apart.
  • Stabilize yourself with your left hand,
  • Pull your right arm to the side and upward, pivoting your toes to the right as you rotate your core.
  • This movement will open up your upper body, with shoulders turned and arms straight and reaching toward the ceiling.
  • Slowly lower arm while pivoting toes back to regular plank position, facing ground again.
  • Repeat on the opposite side, or complete reps on one side before switching.

Read More: Does Planking Burn Fat: Everything You Should Know

Superman

Poor posture can cause breasts to sag.

The Superman exercise can help restore proper posture and make the breasts appear perkier.

Once comfortable with the bodyweight version, progress to the medicine ball to strengthen muscles further.

Here’s how to do it:

  • Lie on your stomach with your legs straight.
  • Extend your arms in front of you and have your palms facing down.
  • Lift arms and legs 2–3 inches off the ground simultaneously.
  • Keep your head neutral; do not pull your neck back.
  • Hold for 5–10 seconds, then slowly lower arms and legs to the floor.
  • Repeat.

“The superman exercise strengthens the erector spinae muscles and other surrounding muscles to support your spine, promote good posture, and reduce risk of injury.”

- Katey Davidson, MScFN, RD, CPT

What Causes Sagging Breasts?

A person checking out her breasts

There are numerous causes of sagging breasts, also known as breast ptosis, including aging, genetics, lack of exercise, poor posture, weight gain, pregnancy, larger breasts, and even smoking [3].

By understanding the reasons, you can better prepare yourself to reduce or prevent sagging through simple changes and exercises, like learning to strengthen your muscles and care for your skin.

How Often Should You Do These Exercises?

The frequency with which you should do these exercises depends on your fitness level and goals.

Maintaining balance in your workout regimen is crucial. If you haven’t been training, be mindful not to take on too much at once.

Start with 2–3 weekly workout days and increase as you become more consistent.

Aim for 2–3 sets of 10–15 repetitions of each exercise, gradually increasing the weight and focusing on feeling your muscles working harder each week.

FAQs

Can Exercise Help Lift Sagging Breasts?

Exercise can help lift sagging breasts in the sense that chest exercise improves mass in the muscles beneath but not breast shape, creating an aesthetically pleasing look by giving the appearance of perkier breasts.

Will My Breasts Sag Less If I Lose Weight?

Your breasts may sag less if you lose weight because your body experiences reduced fat tissue, which can decrease breast size. However, the extent to which they will depend on various factors, including your age, genetics, skin elasticity, and amount of weight loss.

Give Your Breasts a Lift and Increase Upper Body Strength

When incorporated into a comprehensive fitness routine, breast lift exercises can significantly improve appearance, posture, and overall well-being.

However, it’s essential to remember that a holistic approach to health and fitness includes exercise, proper nutrition, and supplementation.

When part of a balanced diet and combined with regular workouts, fat burner supplements formulated for women can significantly enhance your results by boosting metabolism, increasing energy levels, and promoting fat loss.

We’ve extensively tested many products on the market for safety and effectiveness and compiled our research in the article linked above, so make sure to check it out.


References:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/multimedia/breast-cancer-early-stage/sls-20076628?s=4
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4792988/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7846783/
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