Thread: Pec Dec

Yeh mate i've heard and experenced the same thing.
I personaly found lying DB Flys to be safer and seem to work the pecs just as hard if not harder

I would imagine the pec dec would hurt your shoulders more than doing flys, but who knows. It's a really unnatural motion.

Like Danzik said, pec deck (and all machines) are unnatural and their freeweight equivalent will always do more for you.

It's a single joint movement and a machine, so don't expect much out of it.

It isn't worthless, but don't put too much stock in it as one of your primary exercises.

yeah I understand it isnt a great substitute for flys, but considering I cant do flys, Id say its the next best thing. On top of that, I think it hits my chest pretty hard and find it hard to believe that the machine is completely worthless. Just my 2 cents, was wondering what other people thought.

in response to Danzik, I would have thought the same thing too. For some reason though, with my torn labrum, flys kill and the pec dec feels fine.

Did you go to your doctor for the torn muscle? Physical therapist? If at all possible I would focus on rehabilitating the area so that you can eventually return to normal function, but I don't know how bad you injured yourself (that and I'm only an internet doctor)

I've found the best is with the cables. I'm not a big fan of flys because you don't get much of a press when your hands come together at the top. Atleast the dec gives you constant resistance throught he whole rep. But the cables I feel work the best.

it hurts some peopls shoulders but if it dont its good for building the inside of the chest mussle

i injured my rotator cuff last september was out of the gym until february and finally have been back for a while and regained my strength.

pec dec still hurts my shoulders and i can't do 60lbs on it for the stress to them. but dumbbell flys on the flat bench? no problem i can do two 30lb dbs easy.

machines are no replacement for freeweights and the straight line of motion movement that comes with the machines leaves you more vulnerable to injury.