You Have Six Pack Abs, But How About A Serious Serratus?

Cory Gregory
Written By: Cory Gregory
January 29th, 2013
Updated: June 13th, 2020
127.2K Reads
Serious abs? Well how about a serious serratus to go with that shredded six pack. MusclePharm's Cory Gregory shares his approach to serratus building.

Serratus MusclesCory Gregory is the Co-Founder of MusclePharm.

You know you’re lean when you’ve got abs.

But when it comes to getting super freaky, you know you’re there when your serratus anteriors are absolutely diced.

The serratus anteriors are the finger-like muscles attached on your rib cage and they can undoubtedly make observers do a double-take if they’re super shredded.

Of course, it’s not easy to get there, but over the years I’ve managed to figure out what it takes to get the serratus so diced.

I really like to think my serratus region has helped separate my physique from others, and that’s a huge advantage for me when I’m getting ready for shows and photo shoots.

Every little advantage counts and I’ve taken a lot of time and worked through a lot of trial and error to figure out what works in that area, and it’s paid off time and time again.

A lot of people have asked me how I’ve been able to get the serratus muscles so pronounced and how I get them to “pop” when the shows and shoots come along.

There’s certainly some secrets I’ll gladly reveal, but before that, I also go back to three things when you’re dealing with the iron game: consistency, angles and effectiveness of the exercises you’re performing.

All are needed and all are important to building your physique and it all starts there, even when you’re dealing with a muscle like the serratus. It may not be a major muscle group like your back or legs, but putting forth that same effort and applying that same consistency on your serratus can help set your midsection apart.

When it comes to movements, there’s two that are similar in nature that have helped me build some really pronounced serratus: the somewhat forgotten pullover and the trusty ab wheel.

Sure, it’s nothing revolutionary, but pounding these exercises can make a big difference. Both of these exercises open up the rib cage and put your arms over your head, which are two key factors in truly working this area at a high level.

It also goes back to angles and if your arch is not done properly, you will not hit these movements effectively. For an area like the serratus that can be difficult to target, that mind-muscle connection is key to getting the correct stretch and contraction of these muscles.

If you get that in sync, it allows you to really dial in your serratus and makes your physique even sharper and more unique. In this game, it’s all about standing out among your competition, and some shredded serratus can definitely do it.

Cory Gregory

Now, a little more detail on the movements.

The pullover was always one of Arnold Schwarznegger’s favorite exercises in those golden-era days and I’ve kept it in my routine for years.

For whatever reason it’s seemed to fallen out of favor, but its importance and benefits have never been lost on me.

I always kept the reps between 8-20 on each set, arching my back (as it sits on a sideways bench) and concentrating on a solid stretch, keeping my elbows tight to my head.

As for the ab wheel, dust off the cobwebs, drag it out of the attic or go drop $10 at your nearest Mega-Store and reap the benefits.

The fact is, the ab wheel has been overlooked for a long time, probably because it’s much more difficult than your typical ab machine exercise.

But I always knew it could thicken my ab muscles to get that dense and pronounced look and it does the same with the serratus muscles as well.

Again, the work is simple in description – 4-5 days per week of 50-100 reps – but that much volume with the trusty ab wheel can make a massive difference.

Concentrate on the stretch, keep your back TIGHT, make sure your midsection is doing the work and the ab wheel can pay big dividends in getting some majorly pronounced serratus muscles.

So add these two exercises to your regimen and put those serratus muscles to work. Done correctly and done consistently, and you just may be on your way to standing out and going from lean to freaky lean.

How to Perform a Dumbbell Pullover

Form is key:

Dumbbell Pullover

Step 1: Grab a dumbbell and lay down on a bench so that your upper back is perpendicular to the bench. Only your upper back should be on the bench, and your knees should be bent, with your body in a straight line from your knees to your head. (Your head can be slightly off or all the way off the bench)

Step 2: Place both hands under inner plate of the dumbbell and position the dumbbell over your upper chest with your elbows slightly bent. Make sure to flex your hips during the movement but keep them below the bench (they may also rise up slightly).

Step 3: Keeping yours slightly bent, lower the weight in an arc behind your head until you feel a strong stretch in your chest, lats and rib cage. The dumbbell will be below your head at this point, and your upper arms will be in line with your torso keep elbows tight to the head.

Step 4: Using that same arc, bring the dumbbell back to its original starting position in a controlled manner. Hold at chest level for a split-second before repeating the movement.

Step 5: Take a breath between reps, exhaling only when reps are completed. Repeat until the desired reps are reached and then put the dumbbell down. Weight can be increased between sets.

How to Perform Ab Wheel Rollouts

Ab Wheel Rollouts

Step 1: Kneel on the floor and, with the wheel in front of your legs, place your hands on both sides of the wheel. A pad or mat can be used for your knees for comfort.

Step 2: Keeping your core and upper body tight, roll the wheel forward, going as far as you can without your back rounding or arching. Your elbows should be slightly. Your spine and hips should remain stationary throughout the movement.

Step 3: Use your abs and core to roll the wheel back to your original starting position. Again, your upper body should stay tight throughout the movement. Make sure your abs are doing the work rolling the wheel back and not your arms.

Step 4: Perform each full rep in a controlled manner, completing the desired number of reps until your set is finished. To reduce the risk of injury, do not roll too far until your technique is mastered and you have increased strength during the movement. Your goal should be to get parallel to the floor.

12 Comments
JimAbsnormal
Posted on: Fri, 08/26/2016 - 14:27

After 1 day of exercising, my Seratus POP-OUT woooow man!!!!!!!!!! thanks!

Sam
Posted on: Mon, 06/13/2016 - 01:46

Can anyone tell me why in the instructional video of the ab wheel the guys back looks pretty rounded and arched put in typed directions it says don't round or arch back?

Mattak907
Posted on: Sat, 10/04/2014 - 02:54

i weigh 239 and am trying to eat protein for each lb of weight when should I worry about ammonia byproduct being present in my body as I am working out?

Dennis
Posted on: Sun, 03/17/2013 - 11:40

I had to lose weight because doc said I was prediabetic. Elliptical worked for me using the fat burning or interval training setting for 30 min/day. Didn't have to kill myself but the lbs started dropping off. Started eating like I was already a diabetic - no added sugar, wheat bread, pay attention to portion size (fist sized portions). A lot of foods that say low fat, etc. have hidden sugars. Learn what these are and avoid them. Luv the serratus article. Going to incorporate the workout into my ab routine.

Jon
Posted on: Tue, 01/29/2013 - 20:50

There you go Cory! Beast dude such an inspiration and always HUNGRY!

Tony
Posted on: Tue, 01/29/2013 - 17:24

Keep up the good work.

William Cintron
Posted on: Tue, 01/29/2013 - 16:58

I would like to ask or help I am getting married aug 9 and I wait 400 pounds an I would like to get down to like 250 300 if you could please help me

a
Posted on: Tue, 01/29/2013 - 17:27

Stop drinking sodas/beer, run until you want to die 5 times a week. If you want to lose the weight and look great on your wedding, only you can do it.

Josh
Posted on: Tue, 01/29/2013 - 18:00

Send me an email mate, josh.mckay@yahoo.co.uk

brent
Posted on: Fri, 03/01/2013 - 15:06

the trick to losing weight is simple bro all you need is consistency, all you need is 20 minutes a day three days a week and preferably a treadmill, now when you begin to run start out at a slow pace for the first min to warm up and then every min after that you go up one mph until you get to 5 min then you drop back to where you started and repeat just remember every 5 min drop to your slow pace if you do this and do it right the lbs will shed off of you in no time good luck

bob
Posted on: Tue, 03/26/2013 - 18:57

bahahahaha ......... stop eating deep fried marz bars

dru
Posted on: Thu, 05/30/2013 - 16:08

juice diet. blend vegetables and/or fruit. nothing else. breakfast lunch and dinner. 10 days to 90 days. garaunteed weight loss. dont believe me. watch the documentary, "FAT, SICK, AND NEARLY DEAD" hope ur doing great w ur weight loss brah