Exercises for the Pectoralis Major Clavicular

Pectoralis Major Clavicular: 100+ exercises in the FitRay library, each with the muscles it works, step-by-step instructions, the equipment it needs and its own common mistakes.

What the upper chest does

The clavicular head is the upper part of the chest muscle. It starts at the collarbone and works hardest when the arms press or sweep upwards and forwards, which is why incline exercises emphasise it. It works closely with the front deltoid.

How to train it

Incline presses and low-to-high flies put the most work on it. A moderate incline (around 30 degrees) is a common choice; steeper angles shift more work to the shoulders.

Five to start with

  1. 1
    IntermediateIncline Dumbbell Press

    The main upper-chest press, with each arm on its own path.

  2. 2
    IntermediateIncline Barbell Bench Press

    Lets you load the upper chest heavily.

  3. 3
    IntermediateLow-to-High Cable Fly

    Sweeps the arms upwards, the direction the upper chest pulls.

  4. 4
    IntermediateIncline Dumbbell Fly

    Stretches the upper chest under load.

  5. 5
    IntermediateDecline Push-Up

    Feet raised: a bodyweight press that shifts work to the upper chest.

All 100+ exercises that work the clavicular head of the pectoralis major