Your chest muscles, or pectorals, comprise two sections: your pectoralis major in the upper half, while pectoralis minor the lower. Targeting each part is key to developing strong, shapely pecs. Doing so requires you to use different pieces of equipment for performing a chest workout.
Benches
Use a flat workout bench to perform a basic dumbbell bench press. Lie flat on the bench with a dumbbell in each hand and your feet on the floor. Position your hands to the outside of your pecs. Raise the weights above your head then slowly lower them to the starting position. Perform the same exercise using an incline bench to emphasize your pectoralis major and a decline bench to emphasize your pectoralis minor. The same benches, attached to metal pieces that support large amounts of weight, are used when performing barbell bench presses.
Smith Machine
This equipment consists of a barbell attached to steel rails. Weight plates are placed on the barbell, which can be moved vertically only. The Smith machine is often used to perform such exercises as squats and shrugs, but it also can be incorporated into a chest workout. Place a flat, incline or decline bench under the barbell so the barbell lines up vertically with your chest and perform any variation of the bench press. It is recommended you use a Smith machine when you do not have a workout partner to spot you. The barbell can be easily secured mid-repetition in the event the lifter cannot complete the lift.
Chest Fly Machine
The chest fly exercise works your pectoralis major and minor. The machine consists of an upright bench and two handles that bear weight. The handles should be positioned at chest level so your arms are fully extended to your sides, with your elbows bent slightly, to grab them. Pull the handles together so your hands meet in front of you, your elbows still bent slightly. Return to the starting position.
Balls
An old standby, the pushup, targets your chest muscles. Pump up the pushup by using a Swiss ball or medicine ball. A Swiss ball is an inflatable sphere measuring between 45 and 85 centimeters in diameter. Place your palms near the top of the ball on the sides and perform pushups. The instability of the ball makes it harder to balance, increasing the difficulty of the exercise. A medicine ball is generally a little smaller than a bowling ball and has a similar effect. Place both of your hands on top of the pall and perform your pushups. Crank up the difficulty another notch by using two medicine balls, placing one hand on each.
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