The pectoralis major is located at the front of the chest; it is a thick broad muscle that makes up most of the chest wall. It intersects at the clavicular head and sternal costal head and connects to the humerus, clavicle and the sternum.

This muscle serves to flex the humerus (the bone of the upper arm) to create lateral, vertical, or rotational motion. It is predominantly used to control the movement of the arm and it moves from the outside to the inside in the frontal plane of the body.

The pectoralis major flexes the humerus bone (like when you’re picking up a medicine ball). It draws the humerus away from the body (like when you’re in warrior I and you bring your arms overhead). It also draws the humerus in to the body (like when hugging yourself).

This muscle also plays a major role in deep inhalation by pushing the ribcage out to create room for the lungs to expand.

Come see how you can strengthen your pectoralis major in our HIIT classes and lengthen it in our yoga classes, available on-demand.

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