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Chest
The only equipment you really need for these exercises is your body. However, a good quality exercise mat makes floor exercises a lot more comfortable. Also, you will quickly need more resistance than a can of soup or bag of beans will provide. So, think about good set of 5#, 8#, and 10# dumbbells.
The mother of all chest exercises is, of course, the push-up. The great thing about the push up is that with one exercise, you can develop your chest, arms, and shoulders. The problem is many people have an allergic response when they hear the word PUSH UP (probably because some unkind teacher used this wonderful exercise as a punishment). So, BEFORE you panic, listen. The push-up has many variations. We can find one for you. If you’ll feel more comfortable, start in beginner mods: chest variations. Half Body Push Up Starting Position: Lie face down with your palms on the floor at shoulder height and your fingers pointing forward. If you have wrist problems, you can keep your wrist straight by supporting your upper body weight on your fists. Keeping your knees on the floor, push your upper body up until the line between your knees and the top of your head is straight, like a plank. Your body weight should rest on your knees and on your palms. Slowly lower your body to the floor, keeping the straight plank position. Push up to the starting position. Be careful not to lock your elbows when your arms are extended. Repeat as many times as you can at a slow, steady pace.
   
Butterfly Press Starting position: In a sitting or standing position, bend your arms 90 degrees at the elbow, raise them to shoulder level and out to the side. Keeping your elbows at shoulder height, slowly bring them together. Use a slow, steady count of 5 as you open and 5 as you close your elbows, like butterfly wings. Use hand weights (dumb bells, soup cans, bean bags, etc.) for added resistance.
   
Pec Press (Bench Press) Starting position: Lying on your back with your head resting on the floor, or on the bench seat, and your feet flat on the floor, extend your arms to your sides at shoulder level and bend them 90 degrees at the elbows. Keeping your elbows in line with your shoulders, press your arms straight up until your elbows are extended, but not locked. Use a slow, steady count of 5 as you press up and 5 as you release down to the starting position. Do not let the elbows drop below the line of the body. Use hand weights (dumb bells, soup cans, bean bags, etc.) for added resistance.
   
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