How to perform it
- Sit on the machine with your back supported, feet firmly on the floor, and abs engaged.
- Adjust the seat height so your hands are in line with your chest when holding the handles.
- Keep your elbows slightly bent and your shoulders stabilized throughout the movement.
- Begin by bringing your arms together in front of your body with control.
- Focus the effort on your chest and avoid using torso momentum or excessively tensing your neck.
- Bring the handles together in front of your chest without losing control of the movement.
- Slowly return to the starting position, opening your arms with control while maintaining muscular tension.
- Exhale as you bring your arms together and inhale as you return.
What you should feel
Greater activation of the chest, with secondary participation from the front shoulders. The contraction should remain controlled across the front of the torso, without pain in the shoulders, wrists, or lower back.
Groups mentioned in the description
Exercise questions
Sit on the machine with your back supported, feet firmly on the floor, and abs engaged. Adjust the seat height so your hands are in line with your chest when holding the handles. Keep your elbows slightly bent and your shoulders stabilized throughout the movement. Begin by bringing your arms together in front of your body with control. Focus the effort on your chest and avoid using torso momentum or excessively tensing your neck. Bring the handles together in front of your chest without losing control of the movement. Slowly return to the starting position, opening your arms with control while maintaining muscular tension. Exhale as you bring your arms together and inhale as you return.
Opening and closing movement of the arms to work the chest and shoulders through a controlled range of motion.
Greater activation of the chest, with secondary participation from the front shoulders. The contraction should remain controlled across the front of the torso, without pain in the shoulders, wrists, or lower back.
The guidance above organizes the content from the Athletic Station exercise base. Adapt the movement to your individual condition and stop if you experience pain.