When lifters talk about their pecs, which muscles do they mean?

The chest muscles, the pectorals.

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  1. Calf muscles
  2. Upper back muscles
  3. Chest muscles ✔

Why: Pecs is short for pectorals, your chest muscles. They are large muscles you use for pushing things, moving your arms and rotating your shoulders.

Huh, didn't know that: Push-ups train the same pushing muscles as the bench press, with no equipment.

The dad joke
Why do chickens make bad weightlifters? They only work on their pecks.
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References

Answer: Chest muscles. Pecs is short for pectorals, your chest muscles. They are large muscles you use for pushing things, moving your arms and rotating your shoulders.

  1. Cleveland Clinic: Bench Press Form health.clevelandclinic.org/bench-press-form
    Your pecs are large muscles, and you use them for pushing things, moving your arms and rotating your shoulders
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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