CrossFit is a comprehensive fitness program that offers a complete solution for endurance, muscle building, strength, power, and speed development.
As a certified fitness expert with years of experience in the industry, I curated the most effective CrossFit chest workout by conducting extensive research and implementing various training methods with my clients.
Countless CrossFit workouts can help you build a strong chest, but this article will specifically focus on compound chest exercises like bench presses, muscle-ups, and weighted dips.
Quick Summary
- CrossFit chest workouts include compound exercises that work big chest muscles and include bench press, push-ups, weighted dips, and overhead squats.
- The explosive nature of the workout may lead to mid-chest injuries or improper form if not performed under the supervision of an experienced coach.
- To keep yourself safe during workouts, work with a coach, focus on your form, and avoid pushing through discomfort.
The Ultimate CrossFit Chest Exercises Upper Body Strength
This beginner-friendly CrossFit workout can be done with basic equipment like dumbbells or a barbell at a commercial or home gym.
What Is a CrossFit Workout?
A CrossFit workout is HIIT training that combines strength and conditioning through functional movement patterns performed at high intensities.
It includes performing bench press, squats, push-ups, and weightlifting for a specific period.
5 Best CrossFit Chest Workouts To Strengthen Your Upper Body
Here are the best CrossFit exercises to build your chest and how to perform them.
1. Barbell Bench Press
The barbell bench press is a popular exercise among weightlifters and is known as one of the “big three” lifts along with the squat and deadlift.
Here’s how to perform this bench press:
- Load an appropriate weight on the bar.
- Lie on a flat bench and position your hands shoulder-width apart.
- Squeeze your shoulder blades together and press them into the bench.
- Hold the bar with a medium grip and lift it from the rack.
- Lower the bar to your sternum, touch it to your torso, and extend your elbows to push it back up.
2. Incline Dumbbell Press
The dumbbell incline bench press addresses muscle imbalances and focuses on the upper chest muscles, which are often overlooked in most chest workouts.
Follow these steps to perform an incline dumbbell bench press:
- Adjust the bench to a 30–45 degree angle and sit with dumbbells resting on your thighs.
- Bring the dumbbells up to shoulder level with elbows bent.
- Press the dumbbells up while exhaling, keeping your wrists straight.
- Lower the dumbbells back to chest level while inhaling, with elbows at a 45-degree angle to your torso.
3. Push-Ups
Push-ups are a great exercise to build strength, targeting the pectorals, triceps, shoulders, and core.
They require no equipment and can be done anywhere with good form.
Here’s how to perform push-ups:
- Get down on all fours, placing your hands slightly wider than your shoulders.
- Straighten your arms and legs so your body is lifted off the ground.
- Keeping your back straight, lower your body down until your chest is close to the ground.
- Pause for a second, then push yourself back up to the starting position.
Related Post: Dumbbell CrossFit Workout
4. Weighted Dips
Weighted dips are a challenging variation of chest dips that improve strength for exercises like bench presses by working opposing muscle groups simultaneously.
To perform this chest exercise, follow these steps:
- Put on the dip belt, loop it through the carabiner, and attach the weight plate.
- Stand facing outward on the dip bar, and hold onto the bars with straight arms and locked elbows.
- Inhale as you lower your body and flare your elbows to the side.
- Exhale and push yourself back up to the starting position.
Related Article: Best Weighted Dip Belts
5. Decline Dumbbell Flyes
The decline dumbbell chest fly offers a unique challenge to the lower chest and defines the pecs by focusing on adduction.
The position also improves posture and helps alleviate lower back pain.
To perform a decline dumbbell fly:
- Secure your legs at the end of the decline bench, and lie down with a dumbbell on each hand.
- Move the dumbbells in front of you at shoulder width, palms facing each other, and arms perpendicular to the floor.
- Lower your arms out at both sides in a wide arc until you feel a stretch on your chest while keeping your arms stationary.
- Return your arms to the starting position as you squeeze your chest muscles and breathe out.
Ideal Sets and Reps Range
CrossFit usually follows an ‘As Many Reps As Possible’ (AMRAP) pattern.
“AMRAPs allow you to specify the amount of time that a CrossFit training session will take.”
- Todd Neif, Head CrossFit Coach
Here are some reps and sets guidelines for beginners:
- Aim for higher rep ranges or 3-4 sets of 12-15 reps of direct chest work for muscular endurance.
- For overall strength gains and building a strong chest, opt for a low rep range of 2–6 sets of 1–5 reps.
- Aim for 3–5 sets of 6–12 reps for muscle growth and visible muscle mass.
What Are the Risks Involved With CrossFit Chest Exercises?
The risks involved with CrossFit chest exercises are due to their high-intensity nature.
Performing explosive, multi-plane compound movements for as many rounds as possible with minimal instruction can lead to poor form and injury [1].
Tips To Keep Yourself Safe
If performed safely, CrossFit improves cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance [2].
Here are a few tips to keep yourself safe while doing CrossFit chest exercises:
- Choose a reputable box and coach who prioritizes proper form and safety and doesn't push you beyond your limits.
- Focus on maintaining good form by listening to feedback, training with a mirror, and avoiding ego lifting.
- Pay attention to your body and avoid pushing through sharp pain or discomfort.
FAQs
Do CrossFit Athletes Train Chest?
Yes, CrossFit Athletes train their chests. CrossFit is multifunctional and uses many compound exercises. Since your chest is a large muscle group, it’s an integral part of CrossFit workouts.
How Do You Build a Strong Chest With CrossFit?
To build a strong chest with CrossFit chest workouts, perform high-intensity exercises like bench press, push-ups, dips, and muscle-ups. Include as many rounds as possible until your muscles fatigue.
Sculpt Your Chest With These Challenging CrossFit Exercises
CrossFit chest workouts are highly effective for building upper-body strength and explosiveness.
But as a form of high-intensity interval training, they require proper nutrition and supplementation, especially pre-workouts, to fuel performance.
Here’s a list of the best pre-workouts for CrossFit that I compiled, drawing on my extensive knowledge and experience in the fitness industry.
Start leveling up your gym training today by complementing a pre-workout with CrossFit chest training.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7473349/
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11332-018-0521-7
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