DOLCE LIFESTYLE:
Say Ta-Ta To Man Boobs With These 3 Moves to Build Your Pecs
by Samantha Coogan, MS, RDN, LD
There are usually two reasons men might develop “man boobs.” One is clinical gynecomastia, which is enlargement of the breast tissue due to a hormonal imbalance (more estrogen than testosterone) largely due to steroid use. This also increases your risk for developing breast cancer (yes, guys, you can get it too!). In most cases, gynecomastia can go away on its own, while other cases may require surgery.
The second reason is simply excess fat in the breast region. Breast tissue is essentially fat tissue, so the more fat you carry around, the higher your likelihood of having the infamous “moob” is. So let’s leave the boobs to the ladies. Here are three great exercises to reduce those areas and give you pecs, not breasts!
1. Lying Supported Neutral-Grip Dumbbell Row
Using a pair of dumbbells and lying face down on a 45 degree incline bench, let your arms hang straight down, palms facing each other. Pull the dumbbells to the side of your chest in a rowing motion by bending your elbows and squeezing your shoulder blades. Pause and lower the weights.
2. Goblet Squat
Standing in a squat stance, feet just outside of shoulder-width apart and holding a dumbbell or kettlebell in front of your chest with both hands, perform a standard squat. Make sure that the dumbbell/kettlebell is not resting on your body. This should be an active hold. This type of squat will be slightly more challenging and is also great for squat therapy if you lack range of motion or an upright torso in your squats.
3. Dumbbell Pushups
Hold the handle of a dumbbell in each hand and get into a pushup position with your arms straight. Your hands should be about shoulder-width apart, and your body should form a straight line from head to ankles. Perform a traditional pushup until your chest nearly touches the floor. Push yourself all the way back up to the starting position, and repeat.
