Exercise Profile
  • Target Muscle Group
  • Exercise TypeStrength
  • Equipment RequiredMachine
  • MechanicsIsolation
  • Force TypePush
  • Experience LevelBeginner
  • Secondary Muscles
    Shoulders
Target Muscle Group

Chest

Chest Muscle Anatomy Diagram

Pec Dec Instructions

  1. The pec dec is a great machine for isolating the chest. Before you start, adjust the seat height so that the bottom of the arm pads are about level with your chest when you're sitting on the machine.
  2. Select the weight you want to use on the stack.
  3. Sit on the machine, grasp the handles and/or place your forearms on the padding. Take the weight off the stack slightly. This is the starting position for the exercise.
  4. Keeping your body fixed, slowly bring the forearm pads or handles together. Don't let them touch.
  5. Squeeze the chest muscles for a count of 1-3, then slowly lower back to the starting position.
  6. Repeat for desired reps.

​Pec Dec Tips:

  1. The pec dec is an awesome machine for targeting the pectorals, but you need to use strict technique and focus on stretch and contraction to get the most out of it. Don't let the stack drop during the set. 
  2. Don't touch the pads or handles in the center, and keep your body fixed.
  3. Don't bring your torso forward as you squeeze the weight up.
  4. Pause at the top of the exercise (pads in) for a count of 1-3, squeezing the chest for maximum intensity.
  5. Your upper arms or elbows should be positioned parallel to the floor.
10 Comments
A
Posted on: Wed, 08/07/2019 - 22:31

Would the seated straight arm clip chest give the same effect?

vineet tomar
Posted on: Thu, 05/01/2014 - 03:53

it is best exercise of the pactorals and its strength very higher , nice

sherjeel
Posted on: Sun, 11/11/2012 - 16:20

Is their any other exercise that can be done manually with dumbells or barbell in place of pec dec ?

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Joey
Posted on: Tue, 12/11/2012 - 16:05
Dennis Habern
Posted on: Sun, 03/12/2017 - 12:38

For my chest workout, performed twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursday, consists of:

1. Cross-overs on knees, 10-12 reps, uppper cables.

2. Cross-overs, bent over at 90 degrees parallel to floor, 10-12 reps, upper cables.

3. Cross-overs, standing, 10-12 reps, upper cables.

4. Middle adjusted cables, 10-12 reps

5. Lower cables, draw in front of face, 10-12 reps

On another day, resort to Flat bench presses, Incline bench presses, and Decline bench presses.

will
Posted on: Tue, 10/30/2012 - 12:06

I think that the pec deck is an awesome exercise for the chest and for people that have a hard time with building their pecs like I do.

André
Posted on: Sat, 10/06/2012 - 20:10

I don't have this machine. What other exercise can I replace this with?

Thank you

Taco3nsalada
Posted on: Wed, 09/14/2016 - 16:10

Dumbell Flys should work, or any similar machine

Nikhil
Posted on: Sun, 05/30/2021 - 22:14

Dumbbell fly

marc
Posted on: Tue, 04/10/2012 - 20:47

leave hands open use your elbows