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Forum » More General Categories » Misc. » Can you train your chest without engaging the triceps at all?
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Thread: Can you train your chest without engaging the triceps at all?

post 10000182007 05-23-2026, 02:30 PM
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Can you train your chest without engaging the triceps at all?

Back in 2017 when I lived with my cousin and her family, I used to periodically get into an argument with her husband about this. He believes that if you feel a pump in your triceps after training chest, then you did something wrong.

My argument was you can’t train chest without engaging the triceps.

Who was right?
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post 10000182009 05-23-2026, 02:33 PM
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I guess if you do cable flies as the only chest exercise you can minimally involve the triceps. But honestly they go hand in hand so I would say that you’re more right
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post 10000182014 05-23-2026, 02:36 PM
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Probably not effectively in the long run. But for maintaining a fly will help

I like the flies because it hits the bicep isometrically. You dont get that type of stress on your pipes by doing curls.
Its similar to when gymnasts do the iron cross and similar movements. Very effective for the biceps and some argue its required for full development.
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post 10000182025 05-23-2026, 02:43 PM
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Machine flys would be your best bet.

But he’s wrong because compounds are superior for chest development and it’s not even close.
post 10000182038 05-23-2026, 02:50 PM
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I don't know why you'd want to avoid training triceps, but I agree with flies as the option, and you're the most right.
post 10000182045 05-23-2026, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted By AceCorona⏩
Back in 2017 when I lived with my cousin and her family, I used to periodically get into an argument with her husband about this. He believes that if you feel a pump in your triceps after training chest, then you did something wrong.

My argument was you can’t train chest without engaging the triceps.

Who was right?
triceps are used to straighten ur arms against resistance if u keep ur arms straight u are not engaging ur triceps so various flies with arms straight would not engage ur triceps except a small isometric component which u can ignore
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post 10000182047 05-23-2026, 02:58 PM
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Some sort of bent arm fly i'd guess, but you could never isolate entirely. Nor should you want to.
post 10000182049 05-23-2026, 03:00 PM
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Yeah I can
post 10000182077 05-23-2026, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted By LAHipster1⏩
triceps are used to straighten ur arms against resistance if u keep ur arms straight u are not engaging ur triceps so various flies with arms straight would not engage ur triceps except a small isometric component which u can ignore
lmao at listening to anything this clown says
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post 10000182094 05-23-2026, 03:46 PM
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Only if you can train your back without using your biceps.
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