How do I build my chest up when the only equipment I have is dumbells?

I decided recently that I want to try to build at least a basic amount of muscle. I bought a "Weight Training for Dummies" book, but about half the exercises are for either barbells or gym machines. I don't have a way of getting to the gym and I can't afford barbells, so dumbbells are basically my only option. I tried the one and only dumbbell chest exercise in the book (essentially an imitation of the bench press), but it only felt like it was working my arms and not my chest. I also tried adjusting my posture, but still nothing. What are some other dumbbell exercises I can do for my chest?
Answer:
I would do push ups- either regular ones- or elevate your legs on the couch and your upper body is on the floor so your body is angled and do push ups.

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http://www.sport-fitness-advisor.com/dum...http://www.dumbbell-exercise.com/dumbbel...http://www.changingshape.com/exercise/di...Above are a few websites found with regards to dumbbell exercises to find more just do a search under google and it'll bring you up other websites.Good luck and happy training.K

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I'm in the exact same situation you are in. I only have dumbells (however i'm getting a cheap bench one of these days) and i want to work on my chest. Basically i just do push ups and do bench presses (if you could call it that) with the dumbells on the floor. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can answer your question better than i can. Good luck.

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Flies are basically the only exercise I can think of. I think your form might be off.In order to target the chest, you probably will have to use a light weight, so you can put yourself into a position to use your chest instead of your shoulders and arms. Try doing it without weight first to get the feel of it. Just lay on your back, hold your arms out to the side, and contract your pecs. Your arms should rise up. Add light weights when you are able to do this correctly.*Thought of another: Dumbbell "bench" presses with a "wide grip" down to the neck.

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you can put the dumbbells on the ground and do push-ups with your hands holding on to the dumbbellsthis allows you to get deeper with the push-ups and makes them more difficultand if you want to do the bench press imitation try keeping a larger distance between the dumbbells

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Make sure when you are doing that imitation bench press that you are flexing your chest as you raise the weights. Also, do them SLOWLY. You may need an increase in weights. Push ups are also good for the chest. If push ups get too easy, then do them one handed, or clap in between them. You can use your own body weight to get some serious results.

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lay on your back and do butterfly moves with all the weight you can do for eight reps. Then tilt a board at 45 deg. lean back on the board and 8 more. then forget about it for two days, then repeat. push ups are good but don't do them same day. try for 50 mpushups, then go for one hand ones, but only a few. Too many reps make you hard, but not big. when you are 70 like me, watch that those big pecs don't get saggy, you can never quit. some things once you get them , you gotta take care of for life.

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