Jay Cutler recently revealed his favorite chest exercise in a new video—and surprisingly, it’s not the barbell bench press.
Cutler is a four-time Mr. Olympia and one of the most famous bodybuilders of his generation. Even though he is retired, he remains a respected figure in the fitness world. He often shares training tips based on his many years of experience at the highest level. Some of his advice may surprise you, especially when it comes to chest workouts.
“My favorite chest movement is the dumbbell press,” Cutler states confidently.
He explains that what he likes most about the dumbbell press is the stability it requires. “You have to use a lot of your core,” he says. He also highlights the importance of arching the back during the exercise. By driving your chest up and creating a strong arch at the top of the movement, you can feel the peak muscle contraction that helps build muscle.
Cutler usually performs at least eight repetitions in each set. “I treat it like a regular barbell,” he adds. “When I come up, I never touch the dumbbells together. I keep a constant motion.”
His goal is to maintain constant tension on the chest throughout the entire set. Instead of letting the triceps, shoulders, or lats take over, he focuses on engaging the chest with every repetition. “I’m pushing through and feeling each rep,” he says.
Research supports Cutler’s approach. Dumbbell presses require more stability and activate the biceps more. This means the muscles work harder while still targeting the chest effectively.
