Can't Feel Your Chest When Lifting | How 2 Solve That Problem

[@WILD__THINGS]

I remember when I first figured this out. I was about 19 and had been weight training for about 5 years already but had never felt my chest because I was mostly just pressing weight straight up and down. Then I read in Flex magazine about how the true function of the pecs are to bring the arms together. So the next workout I concentrated on going wide at the bottom of dumbbell presses and then trying to squeeze my biceps together at the top. After maybe 3 reps my chest cramped up incredibly painfully because they had never experienced that before. From there my chest progress just took off.

[@gregbgregb8487]

WILD THINGS I wish I could read it so I can see how to do it

[@jp-nl5xc]

WOW THANK YOU!

[@imranahmed1542]

Thats the best way to do it. Think about squeezing both biceps together at the top most definitely activates the chest muscles to work best. I'm going to do it tonight lol

[@imranahmed1542]

@stephen stewart thats even a better way of connecting mind and muscle while benching. I just tried it without any weight and instantly you can feel a better pump, thanks!

[@DEEPANKARBORAH]

@Nexxo Exxon same here, I am also facing this issue and I keep stressed out everyday.....

[@MrHarryc727]

My chest hurts finally... Thanks for the pain

[@mountaindog1]

good!

[@thareshmp5773]

Yeah buddy.. Hah ha ha

[@iworst2005]

Ain't everybody wanna be a bodybuilder but nobody want to lift that heavy ass weight

[@tamagato1132]

Thank you. Maybe you can create the same by adding a DB for warmups

[@MJ-vx5tw]

World shall know pain

[@samueldare9355]

I feel I wasted nearly a whole year of training until I figured this out for the first time. Such a great feeling.

[@russellmcgurn4217]

I love how John and friends fricken finally simplify and explain muscle building to where I can ACTUALLY understand what the whole point of any exercise ACTUALLY is. Awesome.

[@KidChardonnay]

I can't express my gratitude for this video. My chest gains have plateaued because I couldn't get that MMC, no matter how hard i tried. Now I can finally feel my chest swell with blood. Thanks a lot mate!

[@adenmartinez434]

See, everytime I watch workout videos, nobody ever explains the science behind it or HOW to truly get an efficient workout. THIS is the most important in weight lifting and sets people up to succeed. In my honest opinion, if we break down HOW to workout properly and WHY these motions are important, everything else will follow naturally and people will see much greater results without injuring themselves. EXCELLENT work guys.

[@kakskak6220]

You didn't watch Jeff nippard ?

[@craigm8461]

@@kakskak6220 Aww snap! I was going to recommend Jeff before I read your comment. His technique Tuesday series is great. I found this channel through him. :)

[@DuboisDel]

Absolutely revolutionary! Eugene is shamingly articulate (as always) with no splicing, cutaways or editing of any kind

[@truzup330]

Rip John you will never be forgotten 💪

[@Am_Brew]

I wish i knew about this when I first started, this is something i had to figure out on my own over few years. Mind muscle connection is key and damn it feels good when you do it right.

[@vishalkrsingh6184]

Thank you, I've been having problem using my chest for bench press, now that problem is solved thank you.

[@mountaindog1]

awesome!!

[@cognacbraun1]

Man, Eugene's good. Never thought about chest activation this way. Love the drills, they work wonders!

[@servantofthemosthigh9250]

This are propably the best chest tips I have ever heard. I could always squeeze and make them burn, but not feel it very well doing any pressing or even cables. I always felt like my front delt and bicep wants to take over, even with tucked back shoulders. Will definitely try thank you very much 💪

[@haxer7130]

hey mate just saw your massage now im having the exact same problem right now did those workout worked ?

[@servantofthemosthigh9250]

Oh wow this was over 2 years ago. Yes these tips here worked well. It turned out that my front delts where just proportionally overdeveloped and overcompensating in most chest exercises. What helped me the most though, was to use light weights and do every chest exercise with proper technique and in slow motion (!) for a couple months to really feel ghe chest burn and activate that mind-muscle connection. This was by far my biggest chest problem and chances are that its the same for you. Once that connection was established I went back into my strength-focused training and became continually stronger than ever since I could now properly incorporate my chest. Hope this helps 👍

[@haxer7130]

@@servantofthemosthigh9250 thank you for your time and tips man i appreciate it

[@justanerdwholiftweights4061]

@@servantofthemosthigh9250 thanks for this comment

[@Uvenga]

@@servantofthemosthigh9250 I have that same problema and injured myself the rotator cuff and bicp tendon I will try your commnet to star with light weight for a couple of month. Hope have a big chest

[@GRecon1]

Great video Mountain Dog, its cool how you always have other pro’s sharing advised. You dont act like this is my channel I know it all, humble guy👍👍

[@sanjunumo]

I love pre exhaustion stuffs. Just never do it to failure. After that that very muscle will cooperate in all the compound liftings to follow. I’ve done one arm pec deck before chest, straight arm pull down before lats, extensions before legs and side laterals before delts. All extra lightweight and mid-part partials. I love it. Helps a lot with that mind muscle connection. Additionally I also do a little isometrics or posing right after the workouts to keep the blood boiled. Hope this helps too. Wish all the best to everyone.

[@cheetahpsg4988]

Definitely gonna incorporate this video and the one on chest stretch (w/ kettlebell offset on bench) into my chest routine. RIP to the legend John Meadows. These videos are top notch and hold up years later. Thanks to whoever is maintaining these videos and keeping them on KZbin for all to learn from.

[@leomathlein3658]

This was super helpful! For a long while my delts always took over when i tried to do chest exrecises

[@JackTse]

this video is actually truly helpful whether you have issues with feeling your chest or not. i do isometric squeezes as part of chest but this actually puts into words what is happening. this is not a super sexy topic so i bet it might get bypassed but it was truly helpful

[@sanjayragavendra8584]

Excellent video. Now, I know why your shoulders are supposed to be pinched back during bench press. And also now I can feel my chest. Thank you so much.

[@MrDevinferreira]

Hi Eugene and John. Thank you for the video. I did the chest activation exercises and it made a big difference. It really helped with my incline bench press. You are right it does help relieve some tightness in my shoulder. Also those chest stretch exercises you recommend doing at the end of my chest workout helped my chest feel open and removed all that uncomfortable tension I get from training chest. Really good open chest feeling.

[@mountaindog1]

awesome!!!

[@Dannyburgess2023]

This has to be the greatest video on chest ever. This literally cured the MMC problem for me and my chest has not stopped growing since

[@vedantrana1478]

Finally, a proper video on how to activate your chest, after viewing hundreds of videos I finally found a legit one, thanks man

[@benharris2474]

Absolutely great advice. After years of lifting something as simple as shoulder positioning had slipped away. This reminded instantly functionality of my chest. Much appreciated.

[@GoGoGadgetGareth]

So happy I found this all the time I spent working on my chest with little results now a slight repositioning of the shoulders now I feel the burn Thank you.

[@joelvaldez1987]

I cannot tell you how much your videos have improved my workouts and form. Lifting this morning I did this activation and I’ve never felt my chest more during a workout. Thank you for the videos keep them coming!!

[@anthonya-beastbutler8200]

This is actually super helpful as I have partial tears in both of my biceps and I always have a very difficult time activating my chest during chest training. John Meadows always providing amazing information

[@mountaindog1]

Eugene is the man!

[@johnpaulgarcia6906]

This is a good visual aid because he has big developed muscles to actually see what's being discussed

[@jefftam4044]

Man two legends in one video. Miss ya John

[@trynforpar]

Great idea for warming up prior to chest work. Something so easy to do and I will begin to incorporate this into my workout. Thanks for sharing.

[@Milpower]

In just a very short period of time, 8 minutes to be precise, these two men explained to the entire world how to [much] more effectively work chest. And yet, less than 3k thumbs up. :/ Brutal. But, THANK YOU for the knowledge. Will be employing this knowledge post haste.

[@Austzilla]

I definitely struggle with feeling my right pec and it shows with the development... can’t wait to test this out!

[@Lazaran]

Watching this 2024 and still this is so helpful. Thanks for keeping these videos up. Miss him so much, even I didn't know him personally and just watched all of his videos.😢❤

[@Tsinotang]

Tried your rack method with a pillar in my house - CHEST FIBRES WOKE RIGHT UP. Thanks for all the great advice!

[@PrinceRocky561]

I reeeeeally needed this. Always wondered why I felt the bench Press more on my shoulders than my actual chest. Thanks so much.

[@pashagymlife977]

Amazing knowledge, this has added a whole new dimension too my training.

[@James-nc1dz]

Eugene way better here than his latest videos , I like the way he’s more direct in his explanations

[@jamiemcateer1086]

This has saved my life. I still need alot of practice before i can perfect the movement, but gains are on the way 💪

[@MMAFan20]

Glad I found your channel. I'm disappointed I missed you at the olympia. You teach very well.

[@SweetPappyJones]

Oh my gosh how have I not seen this video before!? Two legends of the game 👏👏👏 RIP John Meadows 🙏🙏🙏 Edit: Chest day yesterday- WOW. I always had decent wide chest engagement, had been working more on interior and lower pec. These helped tremendously! Feeling amazing today. *And* As Eugene suggested, my right shoulder had on occasion been getting a little janky if I was lifting max, and ending on incline presses. I will probably adjust, but did a decline/flat/incline sequence yesterday, and at the end, I had way less/no shoulder impingement. These activations are next level!

[@joshuahew]

Honestly can’t believe I haven’t tried this before. Great advice, thank you guys!

[@karunverma1]

Very nice illustration. Wish I knew all this before I got my shoulder injured while pressing.

[@JAWsFitness]

Karun Verma ughhhh preach dude. Know that feeling all too well

[@danielbianchi2246]

Awesome

[@kbflorida888]

I hurt my left one 5 yrs ago & it still ‘clicks’ to this day.

[@cemsezen9703]

John, your channel has so much value and I hope people see how important the things you put out are. Wish you all the best my man!

[@mountaindog1]

thank you!!!!

[@robc826]

I want to say thank you for this video. I used your technique along with some band work before my chest routine and it helped a lot. Best pump I've had in a while

[@phoenix98456]

I wanted to tell you guys that I do not do this too often, i m extremely scarce on praises but you guys know your shit, this is accurate and precise and explanatory, and above all efficient, Kudos to you.

[@mountaindog1]

Thank you very much!

[@berth8539]

This is exactly what I've been noticing in playing around with the feel/contraction. Your instructions make so much sense and help enforce that I'm on the right track. Thank you

[@stackindatpapa]

I did know Mark Hamil was so jacked under that robe lol.

[@mountaindog1]

yesss!!!!

[@tomasnokechtesledger1786]

@@mountaindog1 Luck, may the Force be with you!

[@bramschrijnen]

This I've struggled with all my life, to feel the chest when contracting. I don't know why. Thanks so much!

[@Steve.Maverick]

Me too, and sadly this didn’t change anything for me. Can only feel shoulders.

[@timmyturner2436]

This is legendary info! Clicked instantly after a chest workout with little activation! Thank you

[@invincible7074]

Very helpful and useful video. Addresses a very crucial issue related to chest development. Thanks for all the inputs.

[@jasone42683]

Videos the every man needs. At any level

[@danielcolak]

Oh boy... The way that peck pop's up when John squeezes it.... Thanks for such a good explanation As always great content 😊

[@AdrianButler86]

Very intellectual way to train. Just like how B paks style.

[@chrisneale6781]

Been waiting for these vids to come out since your visit John. Mountain Dog and the Muscle Mechanic collab, awesome stuff!

[@gorann3494]

I tried it sitting on my chair...and WTF, guys this is GOLD INFO right there... wow

[@bustersgotavmax]

My two favorite trainers together. I really enjoy both your channels.

[@djjohnnied1992]

You're freaking awesome man. One of my biggest inspirations in bodybuilding and in life. I've had the pleasure of chatting with you a few times through email but it's a dream to meet you and maybe even train with you one day. Keep it up man. You inspire so many people. You've changed my life dramatically with your knowledge.

[@mountaindog1]

thank you!

[@Joefroggatt1]

I’ve done this before but never the other way I’ll get it a go see if it gives me abit more stability great vids keep it up

[@992MAGNUM]

I’ve been having trouble firing up the chest for a long time, this is helping tremendously !

[@SimplySammyK]

this was actually super helpful, I did the movements same time he showed us with my left hand touching my chest and I really could feel it. Hopefully i can remember this tomorrow during work out. thank yo so much!

[@V8ToYy]

This is the best video i have come across for this information! you have actually changed everything for me. No more stupid gym bro lifting as much as possible, go back make sure its right and start lifting with the right muscles! This saved my shoulders!

[@WaveGodx1]

Finally; my shoulders are no longer feeling pain on the incline. This guy is THAT guy

[@jonmack2437]

Great information. I've felt more in my chest from these exercises than bench pressing in the last 2 yrs. Couldn't find the mind/chest muscle connection to save my life

[@mountaindog1]

good deal!!!

[@Connor-qx4hs]

Mate this is what people need to see more of no mind to muscle connect no gains thanks for the pain helped so much!!

[@JAY-vy6vr]

Brother a huge thank you...I've successfully wasted 1 year but now imma do it right 👍

[@aesthetic__vik7890]

The whole point of this channel is to make fitness and everything u do in tbe gym understandably easy💯❤️

[@davidwarden3285]

Thanks a lot. I’ve been having problems trying to get the mind muscle connection on my chest. Now I understand where I’ve been going wrong.

[@jarrodjackson5775]

Awesome tutorial. Thank you. I have shoulder issues and that 10 rack hold going from I side to outside is awesome. Feels good

[@benjaminswitzer8435]

I spent 5 minutes doing these before a mountain dog chest day and found a remarkable improvement in my ability to connect with the pecs throughout the entire range of motion. I think I will definitely incorporate these before chest days

[@mountaindog1]

excellent!

[@Doppe1ganger]

I figured this out on my own. It's very helpful. I do think it grows your muscles though, if you concentrate and flex hard enough you can really feel it.

[@CrispinoRamos]

I felt it. I didn't know it was there. Now, I can expect that whe I'm doing chest. Thanks.

[@rsc68er]

FINALLY SOMEONE EXPLAINED THIS TO ME SO NOW I FINALLY GET IT, THANKS MATE

[@sam-ee1gm]

Just got done with chest and back. Thanks for the video!!

[@honkytonk2010]

I have been training for yrs and I have been doing it wrong! Thank you for showing me the right way.So grateful to watch the number one training channel on KZbin Thank you for sharing your awesome video Mountain ⛰ dog 🐕

[@NickMorpethBScPhysiol]

Great short video! Really like Eugene’s way of coaching and explaining this. We miss you John!

[@michaelmedeiros7759]

Absolutely fantastic video! Always a problem for me , huge help ! Thanks

[@LukeBong]

This is brilliant. I feel the muscle fibres clearly. Thanks for this brilliant tip

[@Kilo_of_Milk]

Even though i know this stuff it's good to be reminded because it's so easy to lose focus and go through the motions

[@daveassender1099]

Thank you! Any help for these old shoulders is much appreciated 👍

[@emZee1994]

Absolutely quality video as always. I'm going to the gym to bench in about an hour. So will be using this

[@DanielLock-xy1ek]

Nice definitely will do this from now on before hitting chest , makes more sense with mind muscle connection as well

[@BigHallzy]

Valuable tips here that I feel are imperative to training all muscle groups. Good info yet again John..Thank you !

[@mountaindog1]

Thank you!

[@sintsint2606]

Yeah that rack excerise is so gud I can feel some intensity in my chest without prepumping with weights thx for great advice

[@petie6464]

Been having this issue on my left side, will definitely give it a try. Thanks!

[@mattclancy9203]

What a great unique way of training your mind muscle connection game for pre workout. I think this would also help with keeping your ego in check also as you would go into your workout with the intent to focus that mind muscle of fully contracting your fibres for maximal growth as oppose to just using your fibres for just moving weight or what Kai Greene would say “weightlifting” there’s a difference

[@mountaindog1]

exactly!

[@TOSHTON]

This is Gold Advice!...Will Def incorporate in my training!

[@janmichaelenriquez4769]

Wow! Thanks for the info, been struggling to improve my mind muscle connection in pecs area, and building quality chest muscles. Will incorporate this to my routine 🙏🏽

[@user-ho3uw9lo2w]

You deserve everything good in the whole world

[@100based9]

Great advice, wish I would've watched this when it was released. Makes since why I have no growth in mid upper inner chest. My shoulder is doing too much of the press

[@Lollamo]

Who is that asian guy i need more of him explaining how muscle works. I have been working out for last 2 months never felt a single thing in my chest and today was omgg

[@WhoAmi-es9zi]

I tried this still didn't felt any pain or burn or soreness after workout can u explain it to me

[@immersiveparadox]

Mountain Dog always looks so innocent and his voice is always calm and soft. :D

[@piyushdwivedi7195]

First time actually feeling my chest,instantly subbed!

[@dradeel]

Thanks for bringing this up! Didn't cross my mind, but this has been my exact problem with bench press. I can flex my pecs etc, but I can't quite feel them like I can all other muscles, and perhaps not surprisingly I'm getting significantly stronger everywhere except in my chest. Will definitely try this before each push session from now on and see if that'll do the trick!

[@willeveryday]

How does your overhead press compare to your bench press? Apparently you should be able to lift 1.5x your bodyweight on bench press and 1x with overhead press. My ratio is terrible I can barely BB bench my bodyweight but I can DB military lift almost double my bodyweight. I've got a lot of work to do.

[@dradeel]

@@willeveryday - Disregarding the fact that I'm nowhere near 1x/1.5x my body weight yet, haha, I guess my benchpress isn't too far off from being 1.5x my overhead press. Maybe a little less. So maybe it's okay? But I have to work specifically on adding strength in this region and increasing my muscle connection. I *should* be lifting a lot more.

[@TheEvilWithinKevin]

Not keeping the shoulder tucked back was my mistake. Can feel it now, thanks for the tips.

[@daveclarke8913]

Love Eugene's enthusiasm.... He certainly knows his stuff... Thanks for posting.🤗🤗🤗

[@nytewindz]

Great teacher. Awesome information. Going to do chest right now!!

[@jota55581]

I had this problem i started using dumbells flat snd incline half way up id twist them bring them together ..worked a treat !

[@MrKakemann1]

Ingenious! I feel the different fiberpaths with this tip.

[@Bretta37]

Great video. I had a general idea but learning the mechanics of the situation brings it to life

[@frankcalderon4710]

Im doing that mind/muscle prep today b4 my chest work John. Ty.

[@seal2721]

6:25 John feeling his chest muscles for the first time

[@solmyr2]

lmao

[@ThibaultOwnz]

bro this made me laugh oso hard hhhh have a great day

[@brandoninu7140]

im finally understanding the squeeze feeling thanks to this video! thank you!