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Special tips:The lower back is an injury-prone area. If you have constant

lower-back pain, ask your doctor to recommend exercises for your specific

problem.

Our favorite exercises:Pelvic tilt and back extension on the floor or on a

hyperextension bench

Chest (the Pectorals) ..................................................................................

The fibers of your chest muscles spread out like a fan, connecting to your

arms, ribs, collar bone (clavical), and breast bone (sternum). For this reason,

your chest muscles respond well when you work them from a variety of angles.

For example, you can do chest exercises while lying flat on your back on a

bench, reclining at various angles, sitting upright, standing, or lying facedown

(like when you do push-ups). Ask a trainer to show you several chest exercises

so you can vary your workouts.

Given name:Pectorals

Street name:Pecs

Whereabouts:Place your hand on your chest as if you’re pledging allegiance

to the flag. You’ve found your pecs.(See Figure 12-6.)

Job description:Thanks to your pecs you can push — a shopping cart, a

lawn mover, or some jerk standing in your way. You also use your pecs to

wrap your arms around something, like when you give your mom a bear hug.

Erector

Spinae

Figure 12-5:

A look at the

lower back.

Chapter 12: Your Muscles: Love ’Em or Lose ’Em 179