What Muscle Is This?

[GotAGrip]

Could someone please look at the image and tell me what muscle the yellow arrow is pointing at? I am assuming it is the upper pec but I may be mistaken, is there some other muscle causing thickness just under the collar-bone on the picture?

My collarbones are pretty visible and I would love to add some mass here first and foremost. Sorry for being a newbie lol.

[GotAGrip]

Hmmm, it won't let me upload an image - the attach file option isn't there.

[GotAGrip]

Hmmm, it won't let me upload an image - the attach file option isn't there.

Dammit, left it too long to edit my original post.

[Jedd Johnson]

It's the Pec Major. It looks like a separate muscle, but it is just because the dude is extremely lean. Genetics plays a role in how the muscle develops as well.

[GotAGrip]

It's the Pec Major. It looks like a separate muscle, but it is just because the dude is extremely lean. Genetics plays a role in how the muscle develops as well.

I thought as much, thank you.

Is it actually possible to isolate the upper pec with incline presses, or will it just work the chest as a whole? I hate my prominent clavicle. I know gaining weight overall will put some meat there, but I wanted to speed up the process.

[Jedd Johnson]

It's debatable man. You can focus on Incline press for a while and see. The whole pec ties into the same spot, so when your adducting the arms, it's all getting worked. However, it is a big muscle, so give it a try. That's really the only way to see if it will work.

[deadlifterfromberlin]

You can also try to work your Pec(-toralis) Minor, located underneath the Pec Major. If you increase the size of it it will push up (from the ribs) the Pec Major. It has roughly the same possible volume as a trained bicep in an average guy.

Straight arm close grip pullovers will work the Pec Minor quite well, especially the part of the movement when the elbows are close to the ears.

Maybe worth a try...

[GotAGrip]

You can also try to work your Pec(-toralis) Minor, located underneath the Pec Major. If you increase the size of it it will push up (from the ribs) the Pec Major. It has roughly the same possible volume as a trained bicep in an average guy.

Straight arm close grip pullovers will work the Pec Minor quite well, especially the part of the movement when the elbows are close to the ears.

Maybe worth a try...

Thank you, I never realised this. I have recently added pull-overs to my routine since starting the morning super squats so I will try it with a close-grip. I have currently been using a really wide grip in the hope that it would help to expand the ribcage outwards lol.

[deadlifterfromberlin]

You can also try to work your Pec(-toralis) Minor, located underneath the Pec Major. If you increase the size of it it will push up (from the ribs) the Pec Major. It has roughly the same possible volume as a trained bicep in an average guy.

Straight arm close grip pullovers will work the Pec Minor quite well, especially the part of the movement when the elbows are close to the ears.

Maybe worth a try...

Thank you, I never realised this. I have recently added pull-overs to my routine since starting the morning super squats so I will try it with a close-grip. I have currently been using a really wide grip in the hope that it would help to expand the ribcage outwards lol.

I'm only aware of this because I read it in Ironmanmag somewhen in the nineties, before they developed the comic-like format... You may have seen competitive swimmers often seem to have a quite full chest area although their pec major has only medium development? Thats a result of a developed pec minor.

Another exercise that might help with the pec minor is a "straight arm dip", basically go into the starting position for dips and do the motion of a shrug. of course a very short range movement.

As for the pullover, the important part seems to be that the elbows travel quite close to each other, so keeping the elbows bent probably works quite as well.

Basically, I use a little bit of those exercises to prevent weak areas as an injury prevention.

[GotAGrip]

You can also try to work your Pec(-toralis) Minor, located underneath the Pec Major. If you increase the size of it it will push up (from the ribs) the Pec Major. It has roughly the same possible volume as a trained bicep in an average guy.

Straight arm close grip pullovers will work the Pec Minor quite well, especially the part of the movement when the elbows are close to the ears.

Maybe worth a try...

Thank you, I never realised this. I have recently added pull-overs to my routine since starting the morning super squats so I will try it with a close-grip. I have currently been using a really wide grip in the hope that it would help to expand the ribcage outwards lol.

I'm only aware of this because I read it in Ironmanmag somewhen in the nineties, before they developed the comic-like format... You may have seen competitive swimmers often seem to have a quite full chest area although their pec major has only medium development? Thats a result of a developed pec minor.

Another exercise that might help with the pec minor is a "straight arm dip", basically go into the starting position for dips and do the motion of a shrug. of course a very short range movement.

As for the pullover, the important part seems to be that the elbows travel quite close to each other, so keeping the elbows bent probably works quite as well.

Basically, I use a little bit of those exercises to prevent weak areas as an injury prevention.

With the pullovers, I have read conflicting information about body positioning. Some say to lay flat on a bench with no arch in your back, and others say to just put your upper back on the bench, allowing your back to arch fully while performing the move.

I haven't got a bench right now so I lay on a punchbag lengthways with no arch - not sure if this is the most effective. I predominantly do this to try to expand my ribcage, although at 28 - I think I am too old for this to work.

[deadlifterfromberlin]

With the pullovers, I have read conflicting information about body positioning. Some say to lay flat on a bench with no arch in your back, and others say to just put your upper back on the bench, allowing your back to arch fully while performing the move.

I haven't got a bench right now so I lay on a punchbag lengthways with no arch - not sure if this is the most effective. I predominantly do this to try to expand my ribcage, although at 28 - I think I am too old for this to work.

With barbell pullovers I lie lengthwise on the bench, when using a dumbell I lie across the bench with upper back on top, feet and knees on the ground. Just try the different options and use the ones the help you.

One of the functions of the lats is to help in arching the back, that the/one reason to arch the back in back exercises.

I use pullovers just as a regular way to strengthen muscles.

[Jedd Johnson]

Sport-specific coaches often encourage a neutral spine when training, regardless of the movement. perhaps this is where the contradiction lies that you have read, @GotaGrip?