T Nation 25th Anniversary Giveaway - Enter Now
Categories: Bigger Stronger Leaner

Tip: Build Better Pecs With Metabolic Stress

If your goal is chest size and your pecs are being stubborn, add a band (a form of accommodating resistance) to your flyes to increase the metabolic stress.

Banded Dumbbell Flyes


Banded Kettlebell Flyes


  1. Grab a light to moderate resistance band and wrap it around your back, preferably the lats.
  2. Grab the dumbbells or kettlebells with the bands around your thumbs or whatever grip is comfortable for you.
  3. Lie down on a flat bench holding the dumbbells or kettlebells at your shoulders, palms facing inwards. Bring the dumbbells up until your arms are almost fully extended.
  4. Slightly bend your arms and arc the weights down to your sides until you feel a stretch across your chest. (Don't bring the dumbbells to your ears because you'll place too much stress on the shoulder joints. Kettlebells allow more range of motion though.)
  5. Squeeze your pecs to return the weights to the start position.

Recent Posts

  • Stuff We Make

Mag-10

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Question of Strength 65

Ask Me Anything I receive great questions in my T Nation Community Coaching Lab. If…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Question of Strength 64

Ask Me Anything I get a lot of great questions in my T Nation Community…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Your Warm-Up Is Killing Your Workout... and Gains

An Exaggerated Warm-Up Isn't Helpful I don't know when the lengthy warm-up became a thing,…

2 years ago
  • Bigger Stronger Leaner

Assess Your Metabolic State, Dominate Your Workout

Training and Your Metabolic State When I think "workout," I think of speeds. Your metabolic…

2 years ago