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Old Forum Whats the deal with chest expanders?

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Captain_America_02181987

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Hey folks after figuring out that the bodybuilding way of doing things isn't a realistic goal or one that would suit myself well I've turned to a much better alternative and that's training like the old time strongmen did.

I was looking on-line and noticed the chest expander and was wondering if this really is a good workout for the chest or the another group of muscles overall.

Some other posts claim that it doesn't even work the chest but could be used for the back. Any thoughts? Thanks
 
Very good for the back,shoulders, and arms.Can get to areas that weights wont get to.Their are better things for the chest itself.
 
Here is a thread on them: https://www.strongfirst.com/forums/topic/strand-pulling-missing-strength/

People who use a chest expander properly are noted for exceptional strength and development of the shoulders, upper back, and arms (especially triceps). Since the handles are held in either hand, or in the case of curls, one hand, while the other handle is being held down with the foot, the chest expander is not designed to effectively train other movements, although with high tension, the entire body is "worked" to some degree.

Many guides give a variety of recommendations, and many have a bodybuilding focus.

Scroll down to the PDF downloads: http://yoga-horizons.com/2011/04/strand-pulling-guides-by-fatman-and-brad-reid/

Look in the table of contents, but the entire book would be good to read: http://www.sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Inch/ManualPhysicalTraining/mpt-intro.htm

Modern site: http://www.expanderkrank.de/en

http://www.sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Danks/ChestExerciser/chestex-intro.htm

http://www.sandowplus.co.uk/Competition/Bonomo/powerplus/pp-intro.htm

Keep in mind many works are for a general bodybuilding/strength goal and for those who may not have any experience. It is better, I think, for most who have some experience and goals already, to first try out the various pulls to see what one wants to do, and select the ones which are good for your goal. Some, like the Back Press, may be very interesting, as one can press an exceptional amount of resistance and the effect on the triceps of the arms can be dramatic, and others have stated it is great for pushup strength. I do not do the Back Press, but I believe their testimony.

 

 
 
Steve I would have a look at the Danks material.  For general physical appearance he has an excellent program of 15 exercises. You can get it for free at the link above that the Herr provided. He has plenty of examples in his books of himself and people that followed his system. All have aesthetically pleasing bodies.

You can also use the expanders to get strong. He recommended still doing his 15 exercise system and then working with heavy resistance pulls for dense muscle. Personally I have a feeling that if you want the 'look' then they are a very good choice.  I also like the way I feel working with them.
 
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