Baffled by the Bench Press Muscle? Crack the Crossword Code!

Sure! Here’s the rearrangement with the tags:

Sure! Let’s start with some basic understanding. The crossword clue “Bench press muscle, informally” is referring to a specific muscle group that is commonly activated and strengthened during the exercise known as the bench press. The answer to this clue is “PEC,” which is short for pectoralis.

The pectoralis muscle, also known simply as the pec, is a large muscle group located in the chest region. It is responsible for a variety of movements involving the arms, such as pushing and hugging motions. The pec consists of two main parts: the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor.

The pectoralis major is the larger and more prominent part of the pec muscle. It is the one that most people visualize when they think of a well-developed chest. This muscle originates from the sternum (breastbone), the clavicle (collarbone), and the upper ribs, and it inserts into the humerus (upper arm bone). The pectoralis major is responsible for flexing, adducting, and medially rotating the arm.

The pectoralis minor, on the other hand, is a smaller muscle located underneath the pectoralis major. It originates from the third to fifth ribs and inserts into the scapula (shoulder blade). While it may not be as well-known or visible as the pectoralis major, the pectoralis minor plays an important role in stabilizing the scapula.

When it comes to the bench press exercise, the pectoralis major is the muscle primarily targeted. The bench press is a compound exercise commonly used for building upper body strength, particularly in the chest, shoulders, and triceps. By lying on a bench and pushing a loaded barbell away from the chest, you engage the pectoralis major to perform the pushing movement.

To summarize, the answer “PEC” in the crossword clue “Bench press muscle, informally” refers to the pectoralis muscle group, specifically the pectoralis major. This muscle is responsible for various arm movements, including flexing, adducting, and medially rotating the arm. During the bench press exercise, the pectoralis major is targeted and strengthened.